JP6197262B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine.

In gaming machines such as slot machines and pachinko machines , various signals are output from a device in the gaming machine such as a main controller to a management computer ( hall computer ) (see, for example, Patent Document 1) .

No. 2008-173145

In a slot machine, the type of information output from a gaming machine to a hall computer is increasing as the gaming system becomes complicated.
However, the number of input and output terminals for transmitting and receiving signals between the main controller and the hall computer is limited, it is to increase the number of such input and output terminals, changing the game machine internal structure This is extremely complicated, and it is desired that the type of signal to be output can be easily set.

The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine capable of easily setting the type of signal to be output .

In order to solve the above-described problem, the gaming machine according to claim 1 includes a game control unit that executes various processes related to the progress of a game, an auxiliary control unit that is executed based on a signal from the game control unit, In a gaming machine comprising display means controlled by auxiliary control means, selection operation means for selecting and operating display information displayed on the display means, and initialization operation means, the game control means comprises the various types Storage means for storing information used for executing processing, initialization execution means for initializing information stored in the storage means by operating the initialization operation means, and as the game progresses Various state change detection means for detecting various state changes that occur, and an output target signal generated based on the state change information detected by the state change detection means are output to the auxiliary control means. Output target signal output means, and display information that can be selected by the selection operation means when the initialization operation means is operated is displayed on the display means. Among the display information selected, information indicating the output target signal and the output destination of the output target signal is displayed.

According to the present invention, it can be easily set the type of signal to be output from the main controller.

It is a front view of the slot machine concerning an embodiment. It is a perspective view of the slot machine in a state where the front door is closed. It is a perspective view of the slot machine in a state where the front door is opened. It is a rear view of the front door of the slot machine. It is a front view of the housing of the slot machine. It is a figure explaining the symbol arrangement of each reel of the slot machine. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the symbol which can be visually recognized from a display window, and an effective line. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship of a winning mode, medal payout number, and state transfer. FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing an internal configuration of the slot machine. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of an auxiliary controller. It is a figure explaining the structure of each output terminal for transmitting a signal to a hall computer or a data display via an external concentration terminal board from a main controller. It is a figure explaining the structure of a display machine. It is a figure explaining the combination of the output signal set corresponding to each output terminal. It is a flowchart explaining a timer interruption process. It is a flowchart explaining a normal process. It is a flowchart explaining a lottery process. It is a figure which shows an example of the lottery table for normal game states. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the operation sequence of a stop switch, and the winning aspect established. It is a flowchart explaining an ART state process. It is a figure which shows an example of the lottery table for ART preparation states. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the operation sequence of a stop switch, and the winning aspect established. It is a figure which shows an example of the lottery table for ART state. It is a figure explaining transition of a gaming state. It is a flowchart explaining a BB or RB state process. It is a flowchart explaining the process at the time of power activation. It is a flowchart explaining a setting value change process. It is a flowchart explaining an outer end signal setting process. It is a figure explaining the display mode of a liquid crystal display. It is a flowchart explaining the outer end signal setting command process concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the correspondence of a signal number and an output signal.

(First embodiment)

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a slot machine as a kind of gaming machine according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 is a front view of the slot machine 1, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the slot machine 1 with the front door 3 closed, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the slot machine 1 with the front door 3 opened, and FIG. 5 is a rear view of the door 3, and FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the slot machine 1 includes a housing 2 that forms an outer shell thereof. The casing 2 as a whole is formed in a box shape with the front open, and is attached by, for example, driving nails against a so-called island facility when installed in the game hall.

  A front door 3 is attached to the front side of the housing 2 so as to be openable and closable. That is, the housing 2 is provided with a pair of upper and lower support shafts 5a and 5b on the left side when viewed from the front, and the front door 3 has a bearing portion 9a at a position corresponding to each support shaft 5a and 5b. 9b are provided. When the support shafts 5a and 5b are inserted into the bearing portions 9a and 9b, the front door 3 rotates about an opening / closing axis extending in the vertical direction connecting the support shafts 5a and 5b to the housing 2. It is supported so as to be movable, and the front open side of the housing 2 can be opened or closed by the rotation of the front door 3. Further, the front door 3 is brought into a locked state that cannot be opened by a locking device 38 provided on the back surface thereof. A key cylinder 39 integrated with the locking device 38 is provided at the upper right end of the front door 3, and is configured so that the locked state is released by a predetermined key operation on the key cylinder 39.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the front door 3 includes three parts, a display unit 3 </ b> A, an operation unit 3 </ b> B, and a storage unit 3 </ b> C in order from the top to the bottom. The display unit 3A includes an upper lamp 21 that is provided along the upper side of the front door 3 and lights up and flashes as the game progresses, and various notification sounds ( A pair of speakers 22 for outputting sound effects are provided. A liquid crystal display 23 for displaying various information such as images and videos is disposed between the pair of speakers 22. Note that an auxiliary control device 81 for driving the upper lamp 21, the speaker 22, and the liquid crystal display 23 is provided on the back surface of the liquid crystal display 23.

  In addition, display windows 24L, 24M, and 24R for visually recognizing the plurality of rotating reels 11L, 11M, and 11R rotating in the housing 2 are provided side by side at a substantially central height position of the display unit 3A. On the left side of the display window 24L, a bet lamp 25 that is turned on according to the number of bets (the number of bets) of the coin M is provided. Then, in the lower part of the display unit 3A, the number of remaining medals to be paid out until the BB or RB state ends is displayed in order from the left side to the right side. A BB / RB medium number display unit 27 and a discharge number display unit 28 for displaying the number of paid-out medals are provided. These display units 26 to 28 are constituted by 7-segment displays, but may be replaced by other display means such as a liquid crystal display. The display windows 24L, 24M, and 24R may be combined into a single display window.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the housing 2 is divided into an upper part and a lower part by a partition plate 40, and a reel unit 42 constituting variable display means is provided on the upper portion of the partition plate 40.

  The reel unit 42 includes a left reel 11L, a middle reel 11M, and a right reel 11R each formed in a cylindrical shape (annular shape). Each of the reels 11L, 11M, and 11R is rotatably supported so that the center axis thereof is the rotation axis of the reel. The rotation axes of the reels 11L, 11M, and 11R are arranged on the same axis extending in the substantially horizontal direction, and the reels 11L, 11M, and 11R have a one-to-one correspondence with the display windows 24L, 24M, and 24R. . Therefore, a part of the surface of each reel 11L, 11M, 11R is in a state of being visible through the corresponding display windows 24L, 24M, 24R.

  Each of the reels 11L, 11M, and 11R is connected to a stepping motor, and each reel 11L, 11M, and 11R can be individually rotated, that is, independently driven by the driving of each stepping motor. . For example, the stepping motor is set to rotate once by giving a drive signal of 504 pulses (hereinafter also referred to as an excitation pulse). Be controlled. Each reel 11L, 11M, 11R is provided with a reel index sensor for detecting that the reel has made one revolution. When the reel index sensor detects that the reel has made one rotation, a detection signal is output to the main controller 101 described later each time the reel is detected. Therefore, main controller 101 determines the angular position of each reel 11L, 11M, 11R for each rotation based on the detection signal of the reel index sensor and the number of excitation pulses output until the detection signal is input. It can be confirmed and corrected.

  On the outer peripheral surface of each reel 11L, 11M, 11R, 21 symbols are drawn at equal intervals in the long side direction (circumferential direction). Therefore, in order to switch the symbol at a predetermined position to the next symbol, it is necessary to output 24 pulses (= 504 pulses / 21 symbols) of excitation pulses. Further, the main control device 101 grasps the symbols that are visible from the display windows 24L, 24M, and 24R based on the number of excitation pulses output after the detection signal of the reel index sensor is input, It is possible to perform control to stop a predetermined symbol at a position that can be visually recognized from 24L, 24M, and 24R.

  Next, the symbols drawn on the reels 11L, 11M, and 11R will be described.

  FIG. 6 shows a symbol arrangement of the left reel 11L, the middle reel 11M, and the right reel 11R. As shown in the figure, each of the reels 11L, 11M, and 11R has 21 symbols arranged in a line. Further, numbers 1 to 21 are assigned to the reels 11L, 11M, and 11R. These numbers are symbols that are visible to the main controller 101 from the display windows 24L, 24M, and 24R. Is a number for recognizing the reels 11 and is not actually attached to the reels 11L, 11M, and 11R. However, for the sake of clarity, each symbol will be described below using the above numbers.

  As a symbol, a “black bell” symbol (eg, No. 21 of the left reel 11L), a “white bell” symbol (eg, No. 7 of the left reel 11L), a “replay” symbol (eg, the 20th of the left reel 11L) , “Watermelon” design (for example, 19th of left reel 11L), “Red 7” design (for example, 18th of left reel 11L), “Cherry” design (for example, 17th of left reel 11L), “BAR” There are nine types of symbols (for example, the ninth of the left reel 11L), “blue 7” symbol (for example, the fourth of the left reel 11L), and “blank” symbol (for example, the eighth of the left reel 11L). As shown in FIG. 6, the numbers and arrangement orders of various symbols in the reels 11L, 11M, and 11R are completely different.

  Each of the display windows 24L, 24M, and 24R is formed in such a size that three of the 21 symbols attached to the corresponding reel can be visually recognized through the windows. For this reason, when all the reels 11L, 11M, and 11R are stopped, 3 × 3 = 9 symbols are visible through the display windows 24L, 24M, and 24R.

  FIG. 7 shows four combination lines as effective lines connecting positions where the symbols of the reels 11L, 11M, and 11R are visible in the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the first line L1 connecting the upper symbol of the left reel 11L, the middle symbol of the middle reel 11M, and the upper symbol of the right reel 11R, the upper symbol of the left reel 11L, the middle symbol of the middle reel 11M, and the right reel. The second line L2 connecting the lower symbol of 11R, the lower symbol of the left reel 11L, the middle symbol of the middle reel 11M, the third line L3 connecting the upper symbol of the right reel 11R, and the lower symbol of the left reel 11L, middle A fourth line L4 connecting the middle symbol of the reel 11M and the lower symbol of the right reel 11R is set. And, when the combination line is activated, that is, when the symbols are stopped in a predetermined combination on the effective line, a privilege that a predetermined number of medals as game media are paid out is given or the gaming state is shifted as winning establishment. Benefits are granted.

  FIG. 8 shows the correspondence between the combination of symbols to be awarded and the number of payouts given when the prize is won.

  Small prizes for which medals are paid out include a cherry prize, a first watermelon prize, a second watermelon prize, a bell prize, and a first special bell prize to a twelfth special bell prize. When the “cherry” symbol on the middle reel 11M stops on the active line, one medal is paid out as a cherry winning. That is, in the case of a cherry winning, any symbol may be stopped on the active line for the left reel 11L and the right reel 11R. In other words, when the combination of the “cherry” symbol of the middle reel 11M and any symbol of the left reel 11L and the right reel 11R stops on the effective line, a cherry prize is established. Here, the middle stage of the middle reel 11M is a position where four active lines overlap, so if the “cherry” symbol stops on the middle stage of the middle reel 11M, a cherry win is awarded on all four active lines. As a result, 4 (= 1 × 4) medals are paid out.

  When the “watermelon” symbol of each reel 11L, 11M, 11R stops on the active line, five medals are paid out as the first watermelon winning. When the “blue 7” symbol of the middle reel 11M and the “watermelon” symbol of the right reel 11R stop on the active line, one medal is paid out as the second watermelon winning. That is, in the case of the second watermelon winning, any symbol that stops on the active line for the left reel 11L may be any symbol. When the “red bell” symbol or “white bell” symbol of each reel 11L, 11M, 11R stops on the active line, nine medals are paid out as a bell winning. In addition, the “red bell” symbol or the “white bell” symbol of two reels of each reel 11L, 11M, 11R stopped on the effective line, and the “replay” symbol of the remaining one reel stopped on the effective line. In this case, nine medals are paid out as a special bell prize. For example, when the “replay” symbol of the left reel 11L, the “red bell” symbol of the middle reel 11M, and the “red bell” symbol of the right reel 11R are stopped on the active line, the first special bell prize is awarded. As a result, nine medals are paid out.

  State transition winnings in which only the game state transition is performed (that is, no payout) include a first BB winning, a second BB winning, and an RB winning.

  When the “Blue 7” symbol of each reel 11L, 11M, 11R stops on the active line, the first BB win is made, the “Blue 7” symbol of the left reel 11L and the middle reel 11M and the “White 7” of the right reel 11R. When the symbol stops on the active line, the second BB win is made. Further, when the “blue 7” symbol of the left reel 11L and the middle reel 11M and the “BAR” symbol of the right reel 11R are stopped on the active line, an RB winning is achieved. When these BB winning or RB winning is established, the gaming state shifts to the BB state or the RB state, respectively.

  As a prize to which a replay privilege capable of playing the next game without inserting a medal is given, there are a first replay prize to a third replay prize. When the “cherry” symbol of the left reel 11L and the “replay” symbol of the middle reel 11M and the right reel 11R are stopped on the effective line, or the “replay” symbol of the left reel 11L and the “white blank” of the middle reel 11M When the symbol and the “watermelon” symbol of the right reel 11R stop on the active line, a first replay winning is obtained. When the “replay” symbol of the left reel 11L and the middle reel 11M and the “watermelon” symbol of the right reel 11R are stopped on the active line, a second replay winning is obtained. When the “replay” symbol of each reel 11L, 11M, 11R stops on the effective line, or the “red 7” symbol of the left reel 11L and the “replay” symbol of the middle reel 11M and the right reel 11R are on the effective line If it stops, the third replay prize will be awarded.

  In addition, when the first replay (falling replay) winning is established, the gaming state shifts to the normal gaming state, and when the second replay (promotion replay) winning is established, the gaming state is the RT2 state (ART state). ) To migrate. In addition, although it is different from winning a prize, “Replay” design, “Red Bell” design, “Watermelon” design from the left on the active line, “Replay” design, “White Bell” design, “Watermelon” When the symbol stops, when the “replay” symbol, “white blank” symbol, “red bell” symbol stops, and when the “replay” symbol, “white blank” symbol, “white bell” symbol stops The gaming state shifts to the RT1 state (ART ready state). Hereinafter, a combination of symbols in which the gaming state shifts to the ART ready state is referred to as a transition outcome.

  Hereinafter, a combination of symbols corresponding to each winning prize is also referred to as a winning symbol combination. For example, the combination of the third special bell symbol is a combination of symbols for the third special bell winning, that is, a combination of a “replay” symbol, a “white bell” symbol, and a “red bell” symbol. The symbols of the reels 11L, 11M, and 11R corresponding to the winnings are also referred to as winning symbols. For example, the third special bell symbol is a “replay” symbol in the left reel 11L, a “white bell” symbol in the middle reel 11M, and a “red bell” symbol in the right reel 11R.

  A start lever 36 that is operated to start rotation of the reels 11L, 11M, and 11R is provided at the lower left position of the display window 24L in the operation unit 3B of the slot machine 1. The start lever 36 constitutes start operation means or start operation means operated to start rotation of the reels 11L, 11M, and 11R, that is, to start variable display of symbols. When the start lever 36 is operated with a predetermined number of medals being inserted, the reels 11L, 11M, and 11R start to rotate.

  Button-shaped stop switches 37L, 37M, and 37R that are operated to individually stop the rotating reels 11L, 11M, and 11R are provided at a substantially central position of the operation unit 3B on the right side of the start lever 36. ing. Each stop switch 37L, 37M, 37R is in a state of being arranged directly below the display windows 24L, 24M, 24R corresponding to the reels 11L, 11M, 11R to be stopped. When the left stop switch 37L is operated, the rotation of the left reel 11L is stopped. When the middle stop switch 37M is operated, the rotation of the middle reel 11M is stopped and the right stop switch 37R is operated. In this case, the rotation of the right reel 11R is stopped.

  On the lower right side of the display windows 24L, 24M, 24R, there is provided a medal slot 34 for inserting medals. The medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 34 are guided to either the storage passage 47 or the discharge passage 48 by a selector 46 as passage switching means provided on the back surface of the front door 3. More specifically, the selector 46 is provided with a medal path switching solenoid 46a. When the medal path switching solenoid 46a is not energized, the medal is guided to the discharge path 48, and when the medal path switching solenoid 46a is energized, the medal is selected. It is led to the storage passage 47 side. The medal guided to the storage passage 47 is guided to the hopper device 14 housed in the housing 2. On the other hand, the medal guided to the discharge passage 48 is guided to the medal tray 16 from the medal discharge port 7 provided in the lower front portion of the front door 3 and returned to the player.

  The hopper device 14 includes a storage tank 14a that stores medals and a payout device 14b that pays out medals to the player. The payout device 14 b rotates a medal payout rotating plate (not shown) to discharge the medal to the opening 48 a provided in the discharge passage 48 and pays out the medal to the medal tray 16 through the discharge passage 48. It has become. Further, a spare tank 62 is provided on the right side of the hopper device 14 to avoid storing a predetermined amount or more of medals in the storage tank 14a. A guide plate 60 for discharging medals from the storage tank 14 a to the reserve tank 62 is provided inside the storage tank 14 a of the hopper device 14. Therefore, when medals are stored more than the height at which the guide plate 60 is provided, such medals are stored in the reserve tank 62.

  A power supply box 70 is provided on the left side of the hopper device 14 inside the housing 2. The power supply box 70 houses therein a power supply device 91 (not shown in FIGS. 1 to 5), and includes a power switch 71, a reset switch 72, a setting key insertion hole 73, and the like. The power switch 71 is a start switch for supplying power to each unit including the main controller 101. The reset switch 72 is a switch for resetting the error state of the slot machine 1.

  Further, the setting key insertion hole 73 is used by a hole manager or the like to adjust the appearance of medals. That is, the hall manager or the like can set the winning probability (setting value) of the slot machine 1 by inserting the setting key into the setting key insertion hole 73 and turning it ON. The reset switch 72 is operated not only when the error state is reset but also when the winning probability of the slot machine 1 is changed. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the reset switch 72 is also operated when an outer end signal setting process described later is executed.

  A reel unit 42 is provided above the hopper device 14 and the power supply box 70, and a main control device 101 that performs various control related to the game and manages it is attached to the housing 2 above the reel unit 42. It has been.

  On the other hand, a button-like return switch 64 is provided below the medal slot 34 of the front door 3. When the return switch 64 is operated in a situation where the medal inserted into the medal insertion slot 34 is jammed in the selector 46, the selector 46 is mechanically operated, and the medal jammed in the selector 46 becomes a medal. It is returned from the discharge port 7.

  On the lower left side of the display windows 24L, 24M, 24R of the front door 3, there is provided a max bet button 33 for inserting three credited virtual medals as game media at a time. Further, on the left side of the max bet button 33, a two-bet button 31 and a one-bet button 32 are provided. The two-bet button 31 is for inserting two virtual medals at a time, and the one-bet button 32 is for inserting one virtual medal.

  A settlement switch 35 is provided on the left side of the start lever 36. That is, the slot machine 1 has a credit function for storing and storing surplus inserted medals up to a predetermined maximum value (for 50 medals) and payout medals at the time of winning as virtual medals. When the settlement switch 35 is operated under the stored and stored condition, the virtual medal is paid out from the medal discharge port 7 as an actual medal.

  Hereinafter, the electrical configuration of the slot machine 1 will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the electrical configuration of the slot machine 1. As shown in the figure, the main controller 101 is equipped with a microcomputer centering on a CPU 102 which is arithmetic processing means. In addition to the power supply device 91, a clock circuit 103 that outputs a rectangular wave with a predetermined frequency, an input / output port 104, and the like are connected to the CPU 102 via an internal bus. The main control device 101 functions as a main board built in the slot machine 1.

  On the input side of the main controller 101, a reel unit 42 (more specifically, a reel index sensor that individually detects that each of the reels 11L, 11M, and 11R makes one rotation) and a start detection sensor that detects an operation of the start lever 36 are provided. 36a, stop detection sensors 37La, 37Ma, 37Ra for individually detecting the operation of each stop switch 37L, 37M, 37R, a inserted medal detection sensor 45a for detecting a medal inserted from the medal slot 34, and a payout from the hopper device 14. The payout detection sensor 14c for detecting medals, the credit insertion detection sensors 31a to 33a for individually detecting the operations of the bet buttons 31 to 33, the payment detection sensor 35a for detecting the operation of the payment switch 35, and the operation of the reset switch 72 are detected. Reset detection sensor 72a, Various sensors such as a setting key detection sensor 73a for detecting that the setting key is inserted into the constant key insertion hole 73 and turned ON are connected, and signals from these various sensors are sent to the CPU 102 via the input / output port 104. To be output.

  A power supply device 91 is connected to the input side of the main control device 101 via an input / output port 104. The power supply device 91 is equipped with a power supply unit 91a for supplying driving power to the electronic devices of the slot machine 1 including the main control device 101, a power failure monitoring circuit 91b, and the like.

  The power failure monitoring circuit 91b monitors the power-off state and generates a power failure signal not only at the time of power failure but also when the power switch 71 powers off. Therefore, the power failure monitoring circuit 91b is independent from the power supply unit 91a. In this example, a stabilized driving voltage of DC 12 volts is monitored, and when this driving voltage drops to, for example, less than 10 volts, it is determined that the power supply is cut off and a power failure signal is output. The power failure signal is supplied to each of the CPU 102 and the input / output port 104. The CPU 102 recognizes this power failure signal and executes power failure processing. The power failure signal is also supplied to the auxiliary control device 81.

  The power supply unit 91a is configured to output a stabilized voltage of 5 volts that is used as a drive voltage in a control system such as the main controller 101 even when the output voltage drops below 10 volts. As a time for outputting the stabilization voltage, a sufficient time for executing the power failure processing by the main control device 101 is secured.

  On the output side of the main controller 101, a reel unit 42 (more specifically, a stepping motor for rotating the reels 11L, 11M, and 11R), a medal path switching solenoid 46a provided in the selector 46, the hopper device 14, credits Number display unit 26, BB / RB intermediate number display unit 27, ejected number display unit 28, auxiliary control device 81, external centralized terminal board 121 for transmitting signals relating to gaming machines to the hall management computer 200 and the data display 300, etc. Is connected. The external concentration terminal board 121 will be described in detail later.

  The auxiliary control device 81 is a control device for driving the upper lamp 21, the speaker 22, and the liquid crystal display 23, and includes a substrate on which a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like for driving these are integrated. Then, after receiving a signal from the main control device 101, the auxiliary control device 81 independently drives and controls the upper lamp 21, the speaker 22 and the liquid crystal display 23. Therefore, the auxiliary control device 81 executes auxiliary control in relation to the main control device 101 which is a main base for managing games in an integrated manner.

  The CPU 102 described above includes a ROM 105 that stores various control programs executed by the CPU 102 and fixed value data, and a work area that temporarily stores various data when executing the control programs stored in the ROM 105. In addition to the RAM 106 for securing the data, various processing circuits necessary for the slot machine 1 such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data transmission / reception circuit, a credit counter for counting the number of credits, etc., as is well known, are shown. Various counters are built-in. The ROM 105 and the RAM 106 constitute a main memory as storage means, and a program for executing various processes according to the present embodiment is stored in the ROM 105 described above as a part of the control program. In particular, in the present embodiment, the ROM 105 has a plurality of signals set as output target signals to be output at the output terminals P1 to P8 of the external concentration terminal board 121 to be described later in order to perform display by a display device such as the liquid crystal display 23. Information relating to the combination of output signals is stored.

  The RAM 106 is configured to retain (backup) data by being supplied with a backup voltage from the power supply device 91 even after the power to the slot machine 1 is cut off.

  The RAM 106 has a memory area (not shown) for temporarily storing various data, a winning flag storage area 106a for storing the lottery result of the combination, and stop control of each reel 11L, 11M, 11R. There are provided a slide table storage area 106b for storing stop information used when performing, a status information storage area 106c for storing game status such as BB or RB status and ART status, and a backup area (not shown). It has been.

  The backup area is an area for storing the value of the stack pointer when the power is shut down due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like (including power shutdown by operating the power switch 71; the same applies hereinafter). Yes, when the power failure is resolved (including power-on by operating the power switch 71; the same applies hereinafter), the state of the slot machine 1 can be restored to the state before power-off based on the backup area information. . Writing to the backup area is executed when the power is cut off by a power failure process, and restoration of each value written to the backup area is executed in the main process when the power is turned on.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the RAM 106 is provided with a specific area 106d that is not cleared after the end of one game, after the bonus is ended, and by a setting value changing operation. Output target signal information set so as to be output from the control device 101 to the external concentrated terminal board 121 is stored in a rewritable manner only by an outer end signal setting process shown in FIG. The operation related to this rewriting will be described in detail later.

  Further, the NMI terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) of the CPU 102 is configured to receive a power failure signal from the power failure monitoring circuit 91b when the power is shut down due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like.

  When the power is shut off, an NMI interrupt process as a power failure flag generation process is immediately executed.

  On the other hand, FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the auxiliary control device 81. As shown in the figure, the auxiliary control device 81 is a control device for driving the upper lamp 21, the speaker 22, and the liquid crystal display 23 based on a signal from the main control device 101, and is centered on a CPU 82 that is an arithmetic processing means. A microcomputer is installed.

  On the input side of the CPU 82 of the auxiliary control device 81, a signal latch circuit 83 that latches a control signal such as a command transmitted from the main control device 101, and a latch that latches a clock signal generated every 1 msec from the clock circuit 84. A circuit 85 is connected.

  In addition, a signal from the power supply device 91 is input to the input / output terminal 86 of the CPU 82. Specifically, a power failure signal is input from the power supply device 91 when the drive voltage drops below, for example, 10 volts.

  The CPU 82 has a ROM 87 for storing various control programs executed by the CPU 82 and fixed value data, and a work area for temporarily storing various data when executing the control program stored in the ROM 87. In addition to the RAM 88, various processing circuits and various counters are incorporated. In the RAM 88, a memory for temporarily storing various data, a lottery result storage area 88a for storing a lottery result of a combination, and rotation information for storing the rotation status of each reel 11L, 11M, 11R The output target set as the output target signal to be output at the storage area 88b, the stop order storage area 88c for storing the stop order of the reels 11L, 11M, and 11R, and the output terminals P1 to P8 of the external concentrated terminal board 121 A set output signal storage area 88d for storing signal information is provided.

  An upper lamp 21, a speaker 22, and a liquid crystal display 23 are connected to the output side of the CPU 82. The CPU 82 performs various control processes based on control signals such as various commands transmitted from the main control device 101, and executes drive control of the upper lamp 21, the speaker 22, and the liquid crystal display 23. Hereinafter, the upper lamp 21, the speaker 22, and the liquid crystal display 23 are collectively referred to as an auxiliary effect section.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the above-described external concentrated terminal board 121 and details of signals input from the main controller 101 to the hall management computer 200 and the data display device 300 via the external concentrated terminal board 121. .

  As shown in the figure, in the slot machine 1, the game state from the main control device 101 to the data display 300 and the hall computer 200 (specifically, the hall computer 200 via the data display 300) via the external concentration terminal board 121. It is comprised so that the signal regarding can be output.

  The CPU 102 of the main control device 101 receives a medal IN signal indicating the number of medals used for setting the number of bets via the external concentration terminal board 121, and a medal indicating the number of medals given to the player by the occurrence of winning. OUT signal, first BB signal indicating that the gaming state is the first BB state, second BB signal indicating that the gaming state is the second BB state, RB signal indicating that the gaming state is the RB state, and A signal indicating that the gaming state has shifted to RT2 (ART), a security signal, and the like are output.

  The external concentrated terminal board 121 is equipped with communication drive elements such as relays and transistors, and outputs for externally outputting each of the above-described signals input through the input ports by the operation of the respective drive elements. Terminals P1-P8 are provided. Of these output terminals P1 to P8, P1... P7 (excluding P6) output each signal relating to the above gaming state and the like, and from the output terminal P6, a common signal serving as a reference potential for each output signal. Is output. Further, the above-described security signal is output from the output terminal P8.

  As shown in FIG. 11, each output signal output from the slot machine 1 via the external concentrated terminal board 121 is input to the hall computer 200 via the data display 300 and the data display 300 to be input. Based on each signal, it is used for display of game history and management of game information. In the present embodiment, the output side of the external concentrated terminal board 121 for outputting a signal related to game information or the like is the eight output terminals P1 to P8, whereas the input terminal on the input side of the data display device 300 An example in which six of I1 to I6 and six input terminals I′1 to I′6 on the input side of the hall computer 200 are used is described.

  In this case, as shown in the figure, the external concentration terminal board 121 and the data display device 300 are connected using a harness (wiring) for 8 pins (output side) -6 pins (input side). This harness is used when the number of terminals on the output side is different from the number of terminals on the input side. As shown in the figure, among the connected output terminals P1 to P8, P1 to P6 are for game information input on the data display 300 side. The output terminal P7 is not connected, and the output terminal P8 is connected to the security input terminal.

  The common signal for the security signal is used by branching the output from the output terminal P6 (connected to the input terminals I6-1 and I6-2 of the data display device 300, respectively). As described above, the main control device 101 can output each output signal to the outside through the eight output terminals. However, in the hall computer 200 and the data display 300, all the eight output terminals are connected. It has not been done. That is, not all output signals from the slot machine 1 are input to the hall computer 200 for use in game management, and are not input to the data display 300 for display of game management.

  The data display device 300 is interposed between the external concentrated terminal board 121 and the hall computer 200, and in each display area provided in the data display apparatus 300 based on each signal output from the external concentrated terminal board 121, the slot. The game history of the machine 1 is displayed.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the data display device 300. The data display 300 has a plurality of display areas including, for example, a first game state display area 302, a second game state display area 304, a game number display area 306, and the like. And it is comprised so that the display based on the signal input into each input terminal from the external concentration terminal board 121 may be performed in the display area corresponding to the said input terminal. That is, for example, the count display in the first display area 302 is based on the signal input to the input terminal I3, and the count display is different from the count display in the second display area 304 based on the signal input to the input terminal I4. A count display is made.

  Therefore, if the first BB signal + the second BB signal is input to the input terminal I3 among the signals output from the external concentrated terminal board 121, the number of BB (first BB + second BB) times is displayed in the first display area 302. If the RB signal is input to the input terminal I4, the number of RBs is counted and displayed in the second display area 304. That is, the count display of the game history displayed on the data display device 300 depends on which signal is output from which output terminal of the external concentration terminal board 121.

  For example, when the first BB signal + the second BB signal is output from the output terminal P3 of the external concentrated terminal plate 121 and the RB signal is output from the output terminal P4, the corresponding input terminals I3 and I4 are respectively connected. Based on the input signal, the first BB number, the second BB number, and the RB number are counted and displayed in the first gaming state display area 302 and the second gaming state display area 304, respectively. Further, in addition to the first BB signal and second BB signal input to the input terminals I3 and I4, and the RB signal, the medal IN signal input to the input terminal I1 and the medal input to the input terminal I2. Based on the OUT signal, the game history (the number of elapsed games after the bonus, etc.) may be displayed in the third game state display area 306.

  That is, the signal output from the external concentrated terminal board 121 by the specific output terminal is input to the corresponding specific input terminal in the data display device 300. And the display in the specific display area defined with respect to the signal input into such a specific input terminal is performed.

  Here, in the conventional gaming machine, the output target signal to the data display device is uniquely determined for each output terminal of the external concentration terminal board, and the information to be displayed on the data display device is fixed and free. The degree was low. And since the information displayed in this way is fixed, the number of bonuses (BB and RB) and occurrence history that each hole can usually acquire many game media that the player will be most interested in In many cases, various bonus medium signals are input as output target signals to a specific input terminal corresponding to the display area in the data display so that the data can be displayed in the display area of the data display. .

  However, due to the recent diversification of gameplay, ART (replay probability is higher than the normal game state, which is expected to acquire a lot of game media as well as bonuses, and the specified stop switch is pushed. The gaming state in which the pushing order of the winning combinations that can be won by following the order is indicated on many models. Therefore, in recent years, in each hole, there is an increasing demand for players to display the number of occurrences and the history of the ART rather than (or in addition to) a bonus.

  On the other hand, there is a hole that desires to display only the bonus as in the conventional case, and the demand for the display mode is diversified. However, as described above, the type of the output target signal corresponding to the output terminal of the external concentration terminal board and the output terminal is fixed, so that the output input to the specific input terminal corresponding to the output terminal In a data display device that performs display based on a target signal, information to be displayed is inevitably fixed, so that it is not possible to flexibly respond to a request for changing display information.

  The situation is the same for the hall computer, and there is a variety of information that each hall desires to manage through the hall computer 200, and it is desired to input from the slot machine 1 side according to such various information. There are various signals, but as described above, the output target signal is uniquely determined for each output terminal, so it is difficult to change or adjust the signal input on the hall computer side.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the types of output target signals corresponding to the output terminals P1 to P6 connected to the input terminals I1 to I6 and I′1 to I′6 of the hall computer 200 or the data display device 300. As a result, the desired signal can be input to the hall computer 200 or the data display 300. Hereinafter, the setting of the combination of each output terminal and the output target signal will be described in detail.

  FIG. 13 shows a combination table of the output terminals P1 to P8 of the main control device 101 and the output target signals such as the medal IN signal and the BB medium signal. As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, tables in which output target signals are combined corresponding to the respective output terminals P1 to P8 are set, and combination numbers 1 to 5 are assigned, respectively. In the present embodiment, any combination table is set by selecting the combination numbers 1 to 5. In this embodiment, in all combination numbers, the medal IN signal and the medal OUT signal are set to the output terminal P1 and the output terminal P2, respectively, and the common signal and the security signal are set to the output terminal P6 and the output terminal P8, respectively. Yes. The security output terminal is an output terminal for outputting a signal that detects that an abnormal situation has occurred, for example, when an illegal operation is performed on the slot machine 1, that is, the slot machine 1 An output terminal for outputting signals from the main control device 101 to the hall computer 200 and the data display 300 via the external concentrated terminal board 121 to notify the abnormal state detected by the various detection means provided for is there.

  In the present embodiment, in the pattern of the combination number 1, the output terminal P3 has the first BB signal, the output terminal P4 has the second BB signal, the output terminal P5 has the RB detection signal, and the output terminal P7 has the ART signal. Are set as output target signals. In the pattern of the combination number 2, the first BB signal is set as the output target signal at the output terminal P3, the second BB signal at the output terminal P4, the ART signal at the output terminal P5, and the RB detection signal at the output terminal P7. The In the pattern of combination number 3, the output terminal P3 outputs the first BB signal and the second BB signal, the output terminal P4 outputs the ART signal, the output terminal P5 outputs the RB detection signal, and the output terminal P7 outputs the RB detection signal. Set as signal. In the pattern of combination number 4, the first BB signal and the second BB signal are output to the output terminal P3, the RB detection signal is output to the output terminal P4, the ART signal is output to the output terminal P5, and the RB detection signal is output to the output terminal P7. Set as signal. Further, in the pattern of the combination number 5, the ART signal is output to the output terminal P3, the first BB signal and the second BB signal are output to the output terminal P4, the RB detection signal is output to the output terminal P5, and the RB detection signal is output to the output terminal P7. Set as the target signal.

  For example, when the pattern of the combination number 3 is set, the first BB signal + the second BB signal is input from the output terminal P3 to the input terminals I3 and I′3 of the data display device 300 and the hall computer 200, and the input terminal The ART signal is input to I4 and I′4. Accordingly, the first gaming state display area 302 of the data display device 300 displays the sum of the first BB number and the second BB number, and the second gaming state display area 304 displays the number of ARTs. . Therefore, as described above, the request for displaying the information on the number of occurrences of ART is satisfied.

  For example, when the pattern of the combination number 4 is set, the first BB signal + the second BB signal is input from the output terminal P3 to the input terminals I3 and I′3 of the hall computer 200 and the data display 300, The RB signal is transmitted to the input terminals I4 and I′4.

  Accordingly, in particular, the first gaming state display area 302 of the data display 300 counts and displays the sum of the first BB number and the second BB number, and the second gaming state display area 304 displays the number of RBs. The Therefore, if the pattern of the combination number 4 is set, the display of only the above-described bonus can be satisfied.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, according to the combination numbers 1 to 5, the types of signals output from the three output terminals P3 to P5 in the main controller 101 are arbitrarily changed, and the input terminal I3. , I4, I′3, and I′4 can select the type of signal to be input.

  Accordingly, it is possible to easily change the information displayed in the first game state display area 302 of the data display device 300 or the like and change the information input to the hall computer 200 without performing complicated work.

  Conventionally, not only the type of signal to be output and the combination of terminals are always fixed as described above, but also the output terminal and the input terminal are directly connected to change the information displayed on the data display 300. A conversion harness that is not connected but is connected at different positions (for example, when information based on a signal from the output terminal P7 of the external concentration terminal board 121 is to be displayed, the wiring of the output terminal P7 is connected to the input terminal I3 of the data display device 300. Sometimes connected with the other wiring). Even when such a conversion harness is used, it is possible to select an output signal. However, in recent years, the types of signals desired to be output from the hall side have diversified as well as the types have been diversified. Since there are various types of output signals for each model, the demand for output signals to be selected and set diversifies. In order to meet this demand, for example, a harness that is wired so that a signal is input from the output terminal P6 to the input terminal I4 or a harness that is wired so that a signal is input from the output terminal P7 to the input terminal I3. In addition, it was necessary to prepare various conversion harnesses, which was complicated.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, without changing the hardware configuration such as physical wiring change work by the method using the conventional conversion harness, only by software operation, in each output terminal The output target signal can be changed, and as a result, the display information in the display area of the data display device 300 can be flexibly changed and the type of information input to the hall computer 200 can be selected. Note that specific internal processing for setting the above combination will be described in detail later.

  Next, each control process executed by the CPU 102 of the main controller 101 will be described. The processing of the CPU 102 can be broadly classified as follows: timer interrupt processing that is started periodically (in this embodiment, at a cycle of 1.49 msec), normal processing, and power-on processing that is started when the power is turned on, There is an NMI interrupt process activated in response to the input of a power failure signal to the NMI terminal.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart of timer interrupt processing periodically executed by the main control apparatus 101, and a timer interrupt is generated every 1.49 msec by the CPU 102 of the main control apparatus 101, for example.

  First, in the register saving process shown in step S101, the values of all the registers in the CPU 102 used in the normal process described later are saved in the backup area of the RAM 106.

  In step S102, it is confirmed whether or not a power failure flag is set. If the power failure flag is set, the process proceeds to step S103, and a power failure process is executed.

  Here, an outline of the power failure process will be described. When the power is shut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, a power failure signal is output from the power failure monitoring circuit 91b of the power supply device 91, and the power failure signal is input to the main controller 101 via the NMI terminal. When a power failure signal is input, main controller 101 immediately executes NMI interrupt processing and sets a power failure flag in the power failure flag storage area provided in RAM 106.

  In the power failure process, it is first determined whether or not the command transmission has been completed. If the transmission has not been completed, this process is terminated and the process returns to the timer interrupt process to terminate the command transmission. If the command transmission has been completed, the value of the stack pointer of the CPU 102 is stored in the backup area of the RAM 106. Thereafter, the output state of the output terminal in the input / output port 104 is cleared, and all actuators (not shown) are turned off. Then, a RAM determination value for determining whether or not the data in the RAM 106 is normal when the power failure is resolved is stored in the backup area, thereby prohibiting subsequent RAM access. After performing the above processing, an infinite loop is entered in preparation for the case where the power supply is completely shut down and the processing cannot be executed. In consideration of, for example, the case where the power failure flag is set erroneously due to noise or the like, it is confirmed whether or not a power failure signal is output until the infinite loop is entered. If the power failure signal is not output, the power failure state is recovered, so that writing to the RAM 106 is permitted, the power failure flag is reset, and the process returns to the timer interrupt process. If the power outage signal is continuously output, the infinite loop is entered. Note that it is confirmed whether or not a power failure signal is output even under an infinite loop. If the power failure signal is not output, the main processing is performed.

  Returning to the description of the timer interrupt process, if the power failure flag is not set in step S102, various processes after step S104 are performed.

  In step S104, a watchdog timer clearing process for initializing a watchdog timer value for monitoring the occurrence of malfunction is performed. In step S105, an interrupt end declaration process is performed so that the next timer interrupt can be set for the CPU 102 itself. In step S106, in order to rotate the reels 11L, 11M, and 11R, a stepping motor control process for driving a stepping motor that is a respective rotation drive motor is performed.

  In step S107, the states of various sensors (see FIG. 9) such as the stop detection sensor 37a, the inserted medal detection sensor 45a, and the payout detection sensor 14c connected to the input / output port 104 are read, and whether or not the read result is normal. The sensor monitoring process to be monitored is performed. In step S108, timer calculation processing for subtracting the value of each counter or timer is performed. In step S109, an in-out counter process for the number of bets to output a medal IN signal indicating the number of medals bet and a medal OUT signal indicating the number of medals given to the player by the occurrence of a win to the external concentration terminal board 121 is performed. Do.

  In step S110, command output processing for transmitting various commands such as a start command and a stop operation command to be described later to the auxiliary control device 81 is performed. In addition, a status command indicating whether the BB or RB, the ART state, and the ART ready state are also output to the auxiliary control device 81 in the processing. In step S111, a segment data setting process for setting segment data to be displayed on the credit number display unit 26, the BB / RB intermediate number display unit 27, and the discharged number display unit 28 is performed. In step S112, segment data display processing is performed in which the segment data set in the segment data setting processing is supplied to the display units 26 to 28 to display the corresponding numbers, symbols, and the like.

  In step S113, port output processing for outputting data corresponding to the I / O device from the input / output port 104 is performed. In the present embodiment, based on the fact that the BB or RB setting flag or the ART setting flag is set in the state information storage area 106c of the RAM 106, a first BB medium signal indicating that the above gaming state is the first BB state, A second BB signal indicating that the gaming state is the second BB state, an RB signal indicating that the gaming state is the RB state, and an ART signal indicating that the gaming state is the ART are displayed on the external concentration terminal board 121 Is output.

  The BB or RB in-progress signal is turned on while the BB or RB setting flag is set, and the ART signal is turned on for one to several interrupts by flag confirmation processing.

  Furthermore, in step S114, the value of each register saved in the backup area in the previous step S101 is returned to the corresponding register in the CPU 102, respectively. Thereafter, in step S115, an interrupt permission process for permitting the next timer interrupt is performed, and this series of timer interrupt processes is terminated.

  FIG. 15 shows a flowchart of normal processing for performing main control related to the game.

  As shown in the figure, first, in step S201, an interrupt permission process for permitting the next timer interrupt is performed. In step S202, pre-start processing for enabling a game is performed. In the pre-start process, the process waits until the auxiliary control device 81 and the like finish initialization. When the initialization of the auxiliary control device 81 and the like is completed, the game management process shown in steps S203 to S214 is performed.

  As a game management process, in step S203, data such as various game information stored in the RAM 106 (for example, a random value used in the previous game) is cleared. Thereafter, in step S204, start waiting processing is performed.

  In the start waiting process, it is determined whether or not a replay winning is established in the previous game. If a replay winning has been established, an automatic insertion process for automatically inserting the same number of virtual medals as the previous bet number is performed, and an insertion completion command is set to end the start waiting process. Here, the input completion command is a command transmitted to the auxiliary control device 81 in order to grasp the completion of the automatic input. In the automatic insertion process, virtual medals are inserted without reducing the number of virtual medals displayed on the credit number display unit 26. That is, when a replay winning is established in the previous game, the player can play the current game without reducing the number of medals owned and without inserting medals. When the replay winning is not established, a sensor abnormality confirmation process is performed to check whether an abnormality has occurred in the sensor reading result of the sensor monitoring processing step S107 of the timer interruption process, and an abnormality has occurred. If the error occurs, the slot machine 1 is put into an error state and an abnormality occurrence process for notifying the occurrence of the error is performed. This error state is maintained until the reset switch 72 is operated.

  If the sensor reading result is normal, it is determined whether or not the settlement switch 35 has been operated. If the settlement switch 35 has been operated, a medal return process for paying out the same number of medals as the credited virtual medals. And set the checkout command. The settlement command is a command transmitted to the auxiliary control device 81 so as to make it possible to grasp that the credited virtual medal is being returned. After completion of the medal return process or when the settlement switch 35 is not operated, whether or not the medal insertion or the credit insertion switches 26 to 28 are operated between the previous start waiting process and the current start waiting process If either one is performed, a medal insertion process for setting an effective line or the like is performed, and an insertion command is set to end the start waiting process. Here, the insertion command is a command transmitted to the auxiliary control device 81 in order to grasp that a medal bet has been made. Further, if neither the medal insertion nor the operation of the credit insertion switches 26 to 28 is performed between the previous start waiting process and the current start waiting process, the start waiting process is ended as it is.

  After completion of the start waiting process, in step S205, it is determined whether or not the bet number of medals has reached the specified number. If the bet number has not reached the specified number, the process returns to the start waiting process in step S204. Among the processes, processes after the sensor abnormality confirmation process are performed. If the bet number has reached the specified number, it is determined in step S206 whether or not the start lever 36 has been operated. If the start lever 36 has not been operated, the process returns to the start waiting process in step S204.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the start lever 36 has been operated, the game can be started when the start lever 36 is operated in a situation where a prescribed number of medals are betted, so that the game starts. This means that a start command has been generated. In this case, the process proceeds to step S207 where the medal path switching solenoid 46a is switched to the non-excited state to prohibit bet reception, and a start command is set in the subsequent step S208. The start command is a command transmitted to the auxiliary control device 81 in order to grasp that a start command has been generated. Thereafter, a lottery process in step S209 is performed.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the lottery process. As shown in the figure, in step S301, a random number used for determining whether or not the winning combination is obtained. In the slot machine 1, when the start lever 36 is operated, the hardware circuit is configured to latch the value of the free running counter at that time. After confirming the operation of the start lever 36, the CPU 102 stores the value latched by the hardware circuit in the RAM 106. With such a configuration, it is possible to quickly acquire a random number at the timing when the start lever 36 is operated, and it is possible to avoid the occurrence of problems such as synchronization. The hardware circuit of the slot machine 1 is configured to latch the value of the free running counter each time the start lever 36 is operated.

  In step S302, a lottery table for determination of success / failure is selected based on the current setting state and gaming state of the slot machine 1. The slot machine 1 is roughly divided into four types of game states: a normal game state, an RT1 state (ART ready state), an RT2 state (ART state), a BB state, and an RB state. Therefore, the current gaming state of the slot machine 1 is determined based on the setting flag set in the state information storage area 106c, and a lottery table corresponding to the gaming state is selected. For example, when the setting flag is not set in the state information storage area 106c, it is determined that the current gaming state is the normal gaming state, and the normal gaming state lottery table is selected. Further, in this slot machine 1, six-stage winning probabilities from “Setting 1” to “Setting 6” are prepared in advance, and a setting key is inserted into the setting key insertion hole 73 to perform an ON operation and a predetermined operation is performed. By performing, it is possible to set which winning probability is to execute the internal processing. Here, when the setting state is “setting 1”, the lottery table with the lowest expected value of medal payout is selected, and when it is “setting 6”, the lottery table with the highest expected value of medal payout is selected.

  The lottery table will be described. FIG. 17 is a normal game state lottery table selected in the normal game state of “setting 3”. An index value IV is set in the lottery table, and each index value IV is uniquely associated with a winning combination and a point value PV.

  When the lottery table is selected, the index value IV is set to 1 in step S303, and subsequently, in step S304, a determination value DV used for determining whether or not the winning combination is determined. In this determination value setting process, a new determination value DV is set by adding a point value PV corresponding to the current index value IV to the current determination value DV. Note that the random value acquired in step S301 described above is used as the first determination value DV when the lottery process is performed.

  In step S305, whether or not the combination corresponding to the index value IV is determined is determined based on whether or not the determination value DV exceeds 65535. If DV exceeds 65535, the process proceeds to step S306, and the winning flag corresponding to the index value IV at that time is set in the winning flag storage area 106a of the RAM 106.

  A winning flag indicating that the set winning flag has won the first BB (hereinafter referred to as “first BB winning flag”), and a winning flag indicating that the second BB has been won (hereinafter referred to as “second BB winning flag”). Or a winning flag indicating that RB has been won (hereinafter referred to as “RB winning flag”), the winning flag set in the winning flag storage area 106a is set with the corresponding winning flag. It is reset after the end of the game (see step S203 in FIG. 14). On the other hand, when the winning flag is the first BB winning flag, the second BB winning flag, or the RB winning flag, these winning flags are reset on condition that the corresponding BB winning or RB winning is established. That is, the first BB winning flag, the second BB winning flag, and the RB winning flag may be valid over a plurality of games. In step S306 in a state where the first BB winning flag, the second BB winning flag, or the RB winning flag is carried over, if the current index value IV is 4 to 21, the winning flag corresponding to the index value IV is set. If the index value IV is 1 to 3, the corresponding winning flag is not set. In other words, in a game in which the first BB winning flag, the second BB winning flag, or the RB winning flag is carried over, if a winning other than the first BB winning flag, the second BB winning flag, or the RB winning flag is won, the corresponding winning is performed. While the flag is set, when the first BB winning flag, the second BB winning flag, or the RB winning flag is won, the corresponding winning flag is not set.

  If the determination value DV does not exceed 65535 in step S305, it means that the combination corresponding to the index value IV is lost. In this case, the index value IV is incremented by 1 in step S307, and in the subsequent step S308, it is determined whether or not there is a combination corresponding to the index value IV, that is, whether or not there is a determination target to be determined. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the index value IV added by 1 exceeds the maximum value of the index values IV set in the lottery table. If there is a determination target to be determined (whether the index value IV does not exceed the maximum value), the process returns to step S304, and the combination determination is continued. At this time, in step S304, a point value PV corresponding to the current index value IV is added to the determination value DV (that is, the current determination value DV) used for determining whether or not the previous winning combination is a new determination value DV. In step S305, whether or not a winning combination is made is determined based on the determination value DV.

  In the case of determining whether or not a winning combination is made using the lottery table shown in FIG. 17, the probability of winning when IV = 1 is about 1/16400, and the probability of winning when IV = 2 is about 2050. 1/20, the probability of winning when IV = 3 is about 1/5050, the probability of winning when IV = 4 is about 96.4, the probability of winning when IV = 5 Is about 1/262, the probability of winning when IV = 6 is about 1/256, the probability of winning when IV = 7 is about 1/16400, and won when IV = 8 The probability is about 1/65500. The probability of winning when IV = 9 to 12 is about 11.9, respectively, and the probability of winning when IV = 13 to 20 is about 1/3 of each. The probability of winning when IV = 21 is about 1 / 7.30. Also, the probability of losing no winning combination is about 1.80.

  After the winning flag is set in step S306, or when it is determined in step S308 that there is no determination target to be determined to be a winner (when the index value IV exceeds the maximum value), the winning / failing determination of the combination is completed. Means that. In this case, a lottery result command is set in step S309. Here, the lottery result command is a command transmitted to the auxiliary control device 81 so as to grasp the result of the winning / failing determination of the combination. However, in the normal process shown in FIG. 13, various commands such as the lottery result command are only set in the ring buffer, and no command is transmitted to the auxiliary control device 81. The command transmission to the auxiliary control device 81 is performed in the command output process S110 of the timer interrupt process described above.

  In step S310, a slip table setting process for setting a stop table for reel stop control is performed, and the lottery process is terminated. Here, the slip table is a table that defines how much the reels 11L, 11M, and 11R are slid (rotated) and stopped after the stop switches 37L, 37M, and 37R are operated. . In other words, the slip table is the arrival symbol (arrival symbol number) that has reached the base point position (lower stage in the present embodiment) when the stop switches 37L, 37M, and 37R are pressed, and the actual base point position. This is a stop data group from which a relationship with a stop symbol (stop symbol number) to be stopped can be derived.

  Returning to normal processing, when lottery processing is performed, reel control processing is performed in step S210. The reel control process is a process for stopping the reels 11L, 11M, and 11R based on a specified sliding table.

  In the slot machine 1, as a stop mode for stopping the reels 11L, 11M, and 11R, when the stop switches 37L, 37M, and 37R are operated, a stop mode that stops the reaching symbol reaching the base point position as it is, A stop mode in which the corresponding reel is stopped after being slid by one symbol, a stop mode in which the corresponding reel is stopped after being slid by two symbols, a stop mode in which the corresponding reel is stopped after being slid by three symbols, and after being slid by four symbols Five patterns of stop modes are prepared, including a stop mode to be stopped. In addition, a plurality of slide tables each having one of the five patterns of stop modes set for each symbol number of each reel 11L, 11M, 11R are prepared for each combination.

  It should be noted that the slide table should be set so that each reel 11L, 11M, 11R stops between the timing at which the stop switches 37L, 37M, 37R are operated and the specified time (190 msec) has elapsed. By adopting a configuration that allows sliding until the combination of symbols corresponding to the winning combination in the lottery as much as possible within the specified time can be stopped on the active line.

  In the smooth table setting process, the winning flag set in the winning flag storage area 106a of the RAM 106 is confirmed, and the smooth table uniquely corresponding to the set winning flag is set in the smooth table storing area 106b of the RAM 106. .

  More specifically, when the winning flag is not set, a slip table in which no winning mode is established is set. When only one winning flag is set, a sliding table is set in which a symbol corresponding to the winning flag (hereinafter, also referred to as a winning symbol) is set to stop on any active line. . If a plurality of winning flags are set, the sliding table shown below is set. In other words, when the BB winning flag or the RB winning flag and the small role winning flag are set, the BB symbol or the RB symbol has priority over any active line over the small role winning symbol and the corresponding small role winning flag. If the BB symbol or RB symbol cannot be stopped on any valid line, a sliding table set so that the small role symbol stops on any valid line is set. In addition, when the BB winning flag or the RB winning flag and the replay winning flag are set, the sliding table is set so that the replay symbol is stopped on any valid line in preference to the BB symbol or the RB symbol. Set. However, even if the sliding table described above is set, the winning symbol may not stop on any active line depending on the timing at which the stop switches 37L, 37M, and 37R are operated. Specifically, when the lottery result of a combination is one of a cherry winning, a watermelon winning, a BB winning, or an RB winning, which winning symbol is effective depending on the timing when the stop switches 37L, 37M, and 37R are operated. It may not stop on the line.

  When the winning symbol is stopped on the active line and the winning is established, it is determined whether or not the winning winning combination corresponds to the winning flag set in the winning flag storage area 106a. If the winning winning combination corresponds to the winning flag, the winning winning combination and the number of payouts corresponding to the winning winning combination are set in the payout information storage area provided in the RAM 106, and then the payout is performed. Is called.

  A specific example of the reel stop information corresponding to the winning combination will be described.

  FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a correspondence relationship between the winning flag set when IV = 9 to 20, the operation order of the stop switches 37L, 37M, and 37R and the winning mode established. For example, when the winning flag “13” corresponding to IV = 13 is set, stop information is set so that the first special bell winning is established when the left stop switch 37L is operated first, and the middle stop is set. Stop information is set so that a bell winning is established when the switch 37M is operated first, and stop information is set so that a ninth special bell winning is established when the right stop switch 37R is operated for the first time.

  The symbol arrangement of each reel 11L, 11M, 11R will be briefly described. In the slot machine 1, the reels 11L, 11M, and 11R can be stopped after sliding a maximum of four symbols from the timing at which the stop switches 37L, 37M, and 37R are operated. An effective line is set in the lower stage, and an effective line is set in the intermediate stage in the middle reel 11M. Therefore, for the left reel 11L and the right reel 11R, if the interval between the same symbols is 6 symbols or less, the winning symbol is displayed when the winning symbol is obtained regardless of the operation timing of the stop switches 37L and 37R. It can be stopped on the effective line. For the middle reel 11M, if the interval between the same symbols is 4 symbols or less, the winning symbol will be displayed when the winning symbol is obtained regardless of the operation timing of the stop switch 37M. Can be stopped on the active line. On the left reel 11L, a “replay” symbol, a “cherry” symbol, and a “watermelon” symbol are arranged so that the interval between the same symbols is six symbols or less, and on the middle reel 11M, a “replay” symbol is arranged. And “blank” symbols are arranged so that the interval between the same symbols is 4 or less. On the right reel 11R, the interval between “replay” symbols and “watermelon” symbols is 6 symbols or less. It is arranged to become. Therefore, when each of the above symbols becomes a winning symbol, the winning symbol can be stopped on the active line regardless of the operation timing of the stop switches 37L, 37M, and 37R. On the other hand, other symbols such as the “red bell” symbol and the “white bell” symbol may be arranged so that a section that is more than the above-mentioned interval is formed. Therefore, it is necessary for the player to operate the stop switches 37L, 37M, and 37R aiming at the symbol.

  A case will be described as an example in which winning is achieved when IV = 13 and the left stop switch 37L, the middle stop switch 37M, and the right stop switch 37R are operated in this order. In this case, stop control of the reels 11L, 11M, and 11R is performed in order to establish the first special bell prize.

  On the left reel 11L, “replay” symbols, which are the first special bell symbols, are arranged such that the interval between the symbols of the same kind is 6 symbols or less. For this reason, when the left stop switch 37L is operated for the first time, the “replay” symbol stops at the upper stage or the lower stage regardless of the operation timing. For example, when the left stop switch 37L is operated at the timing when the 13th “replay” symbol of the left reel 11L reaches the lower level, the 13th “replay” symbol stops at the lower level. As a result, there remains room for the first special bell winning in the third line L3 and the fourth line L4.

  On the middle reel 11M, “red bell” symbols, which are the first special bell symbols, are arranged at the positions of No. 3, No. 6, No. 11, and No. 21. In the section from No. 21 to No. 11, the interval between the “red bell” symbols is 4 or less, while the interval between the “red bell” symbol of No. 11 and the “red bell” symbol of No. 21 is arranged. Has 9 symbols. For this reason, the “red bell” symbol may or may not stop on the active line depending on the operation timing of the middle stop switch 37M. Specifically, when the middle stop switch 37M is operated at the timing when any of the “red 7” symbol of No. 17 to the “red bell” symbol of No. 11 reaches the middle stage, the first special bell symbol is used. A “red bell” symbol stops in the middle. As a result, there remains room for the first special bell winning in the third line L3 and the fourth line L4. On the other hand, when the middle stop switch 37M is operated at a timing when any of the 12th “watermelon” design to the 16th “white bell” design reaches the middle stage, the middle reel 11M is slid by 4 designs. Even if it is stopped after being set, the “red bell” symbol which is the first special bell symbol cannot be stopped in the middle stage. When the middle stop switch 37M is operated at this timing, the 16th “white bell” symbol stops in the middle. When the “red bell” symbol cannot be stopped in the middle, the “white bell” symbol is stopped in the middle, so that in the situation where the winning combination is not notified, the third special bell winning or the fourth special bell winning It is possible to make the player expect that it will be established.

  On the right reel 11R, “red bell” symbols, which are first special bell symbols, are arranged at positions 10 and 17. In the 10th to 17th section, the interval between the “red bell” symbols is 6 symbols, while in the 17th to 10th segment, the interval between the “red bell” symbols is 13 symbols. For this reason, the “red bell” symbol may or may not stop on the active line depending on the operation timing of the right stop switch 37R. Specifically, when the right stop switch 37R is operated at a timing when any of the 4th “blue 7” design to the 17th “red bell” design reaches the lower stage, the first special bell design is used. A “red bell” symbol stops at the top or bottom. As a result, the first special bell winning is established in the third line L3 or the fourth line L4. For example, if the right stop switch 37R is operated at the timing when the 17th “red bell” symbol reaches the lower stage, the first special bell winning is established in the fourth line L4. On the other hand, when the right stop switch 37R is operated at the timing when any of the 18th “red 7” symbol to the 3rd “white bell” symbol reaches the lower stage, the right reel 11R is provided for 4 symbols. Even if it is stopped after being slid, the “red bell” symbol which is the first special bell symbol cannot be stopped at the upper stage or the lower stage. When the right stop switch 37R is operated at such timing, the “watermelon” symbol stops at the upper stage or the lower stage. For example, when the right stop switch 37R is operated at the timing when the third “white bell” symbol reaches the lower stage, the “replay” symbol, the “white bell” symbol from the left on the fourth line L4, The “watermelon” symbol stops. That is, when the stop switches 37L, 37M, and 37R are operated at a timing at which the first special bell winning cannot be established, the transition point (see FIG. 8) stops on the active line.

  Next, an example will be described in which winning is performed when IV = 9 and the left stop switch 37L, the middle stop switch 37M, and the right stop switch 37R are operated in this order. In this case, stop control of each of the reels 11L, 11M, and 11R is performed in order to establish a bell winning.

  On the left reel 11L, a “red bell” symbol, which is a bell symbol, is arranged at positions 14 and 21, and a “white bell” symbol, which is also a bell symbol, is arranged at a seventh position. In this case, the interval between the 7th “white bell” symbol and the 14th “red bell” symbol is 6 symbols, and the interval between the 14th “red bell” symbol and the 21st “red bell” symbol is 6 symbols. The interval between the 21st “red bell” symbol and the 7th “white bell” symbol is 6 symbols. That is, the “red bell” symbol and the “white bell” symbol are arranged on the left reel 11L so that the interval between the bell symbols is 6 symbols or less. Therefore, when the left stop switch 37L is operated for the first time, the “red bell” symbol or the “white bell” stops at the upper stage or the lower stage regardless of the operation timing.

  On the middle reel 11M, the “red bell” symbol, which is a bell symbol, is arranged at positions 3, 6, 11, and 21, and the “white bell” symbol, which is a bell symbol, is at the number 16 position. Is arranged. In this case, the interval between the “red bell” symbols in the section from 21 to 11 is 4 or less, and the interval between the 11 “red bell” symbol and the 16 “white bell” symbol is 4 symbols. The interval between the 16th “white bell” design and the 21st “red bell” design is 4 designs. That is, the “red bell” symbol and the “white bell” symbol are arranged on the middle reel 11M such that the interval between the bell symbols is 4 symbols or less. For this reason, when the middle stop switch 37M is operated for the second time, the “red bell” symbol or the “white bell” stops at the middle stage regardless of the operation timing.

  On the right reel 11R, the “red bell” symbol, which is a bell symbol, is arranged at positions 10 and 17, and the “white bell” symbol, which is a bell symbol, is arranged at the third position. In this case, the interval between the 3rd “white bell” symbol and the 10th “red bell” symbol is 6 symbols, and the interval between the 10th “red bell” symbol and the 17th “red bell” symbol is 6 symbols. The interval between the 17th “red bell” symbol and the 3rd “white bell” symbol is 6 symbols. That is, the “red bell” symbol and the “white bell” symbol are arranged on the right reel 11R so that the interval between the bell symbols is 6 symbols or less. For this reason, when the right stop switch 37R is last operated, the “red bell” symbol or the “white bell” stops at the upper or lower stage regardless of the operation timing. As a result, the “red bell” symbol or “white bell” symbol of each reel 11L, 11M, 11R stops on the active line, and a bell winning is established.

  When winning is made when IV = 9 to 20, stop information is set so that a bell winning is established for two operation sequences among the six operation sequences of the stop switches 37L, 37M, and 37R. Stop information is set so that a special bell winning is established for the operation sequence. As described above, when stop information is set so that a bell winning is achieved, a bell winning is achieved regardless of the operation timing of the stop switches 37L, 37M, and 37R.

  On the other hand, when the stop information is set so that the special bell winning is established, the special bell winning is established or not established depending on the operation timing of the stop switches 37L, 37M, and 37R. When stop information is set so that the fifth special bell to the twelfth special bell winning is established, that is, when the middle stop switch 37M or the right stop switch 37R is operated first, the corresponding special bell winning is performed. If the stop switches 37L, 37M, and 37R are operated at a timing that can be established, the special bell winning is established, and the stop switches 37L, 37M, and 37R are at a timing that cannot establish the corresponding special bell winning. If the button is operated, the special bell winning is not established, and the transition is not stopped on the active line. In other words, the transition is stopped on the active line only when the left stop switch 37L is operated first and the special bell winning corresponding to the set stop information cannot be established.

  Further, when the “replay” symbol is stopped on the left reel 11L, the player aims at the “red bell” symbol or the “white bell” symbol when the middle reel 11M and the right reel 11R are stopped. It is assumed that the right stop switch 37R is operated. In this case, in a situation where the winning combination is not notified, a special bell winning is established with a probability of 1/4, and the transitional outcome is stopped on the active line with a probability of 3/4. By the way, in the case of winning when IV = 8, the bell winning is established regardless of the operation order and operation timing.

  Returning to the normal process, when the reel control process is completed, a medal payout process is performed in step S211. In the medal payout process, it is determined whether or not the payout number set in the payout information storage area of the RAM 106 is zero. When the number of payouts is 0, it means that a small winning combination has not been established. In this case, it is determined whether or not any of the first to third replay winnings has been established.

  If none of the replay winnings are established, the medal payout process is terminated, and if any of the replay winnings is established, the replay setting process for changing the gaming state to the replay state is performed, and the medal payout process is performed. Ends. In the above-described start waiting process S204, an automatic insertion process is performed when it is determined that the current gaming state is the re-gaming state.

  On the other hand, if the number of payouts set in the payout information storage area is not 0, the same number of medals are paid out, and the medal payout process is terminated. Specifically, regarding the payout of medals, when the count value of the credit counter has not reached the upper limit (the number of stored medals is 50), the payout number is added to the count value of the credit counter and the value after the addition is added. It is displayed on the credit number display unit 26. Further, when the count value of the credit counter reaches the upper limit, or when the count value reaches the upper limit during the addition of the payout number, a medal payout rotating plate (not shown) is driven, and the medal is removed from the hopper device 14. Payout to the medal tray 16 through the medal outlet 7. In the medal payout process, a process of changing the payout number displayed on the discharge number display unit 28 in accordance with the medal payout is also performed. Further, when the current gaming state is the BB state or the RB state, the payout number is subtracted from the value of the remaining payout number counter, and the remaining payout number displayed on the BB / RB number display portion 27 is subtracted. Process.

  When the medal payout process is completed, the RT state process is performed in step S212.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing details of RT state processing according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, first, in step S401, it is determined whether or not the transition point has stopped on the active line.

  If the transition is stopped, the process proceeds to step S402, and it is determined whether or not the current gaming state is the normal gaming state. If it is determined that the current gaming state is the normal gaming state, an ART preparation state (RT1) setting flag is set in the state information storage area 106c of the RAM 106 in step S403, and this process ends.

  If it is determined in step S402 that the current gaming state is not the normal gaming state, either the ART preparation state setting flag or the RT2 (hereinafter referred to as ART) setting flag is set in the state information storage area 106c. Means that If the ART setting flag is set, the ART setting flag set in the state information storage area 106c is cleared in step S404, and the ART ready state is stored in the state information storage area 106c of the RAM 106 in step S403. The setting flag is set, and the process ends.

  If the ART ready state setting flag is set in step S403, the gaming state shifts to the ART ready state. In step S302 of the lottery process, it is determined that the current gaming state is the ART ready state based on the fact that the ART ready state setting flag is set in the state information storage area 106c. Select a table.

  FIG. 20 is an ART preparation state lottery table selected in the “Setting 3” ART preparation state. In the ART preparation state lottery table, 24 index values IV are set. The same winning combination and point value PV as in the normal gaming state lottery table (see FIG. 17) are set for IV = 1 to 20, and the first replay to the second winning combination are set for IV = 21 to 24. Three replays are set and a point value PV is set for each.

  When the winning determination is made using the lottery table, the probability of winning in the case of IV = 1 to 20 is equal to each winning probability in the normal gaming state, and the probability of winning in the case of IV = 21. Is about 15.7, the probability of winning one of IV = 21 to 23 is about 7.30, and the probability of IV = 24 is 13.3. In addition, the probability of losing no winning combination is about 2.08.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 17, in the normal gaming state, when IV = 21, the player wins the third replay (normal replay). The winning probability of IV = 21 is about 7.30. In the ART ready state, if the winning is made when IV = 21 to 23, the first replay, the second replay, and the third replay are won. In other words, when the gaming state transitions to the ART ready state, the winning mode in which each bonus type, BB, and RB is won with the same probability as the normal gaming state, while a re-playing privilege is granted. Changes to something different from the normal gaming state. More specifically, in the normal gaming state, only the third replay winning that does not shift the gaming state is established, and in the ART ready state, in addition to the establishment of the third replay winning, the second replay winning that shifts to the RT2 state (ART state). And the first replay winning (falling replay) that shifts to the normal gaming state is established.

  In addition, in the ART ready state, the stop switch that has issued a stop command also in the case of winning when IV = 21 to 23 in addition to the case of winning when IV = 9 to 20 described above The winning mode established according to the operation order of 37L, 37M, and 37R is changed.

  FIG. 21 shows the correspondence relationship between the winning flag that is set when winning is made when IV = 21 to 23 in the ART ready state, and the operation order of the stop switches 37L, 37M, and 37R and the winning mode that is established. It is explanatory drawing shown. On the left reel 32L, the “replay” symbol and the “cherry” symbol are arranged so that the interval between the symbols of the same kind is 6 symbols or less, and the “replay” symbol and the “white blank” are arranged on the middle reel 32M. The symbols are arranged so that the interval between the same symbols is 4 symbols or less. On the right reel 32R, the “replay” symbol and the “watermelon” symbol are arranged so that the interval between the same symbols is 6 symbols or less. Are arranged. Therefore, regardless of the operation timing of the stop switches 37L, 37M, and 37R, the “cherry” symbol, “replay” symbol, “replay” symbol combination, “replay” symbol, and “white blank” symbol that will result in the first replay winning. , The combination of the “watermelon” symbol and the combination of the “replay” symbol, the “replay” symbol, and the “watermelon” symbol that will establish the second replay winning can be stopped on the active line. In addition, since the “replay” symbol and the “red seven” symbol are arranged on the left reel 32L so that the interval between the symbols of the same kind is 6 symbols or less, the operation timing of the stop switches 37L, 37M, and 37R Regardless, the combination of the “replay” or “red 7” symbol, the “replay” symbol, and the “replay” symbol that will result in the third replay winning can be stopped on the active line.

  If winning is performed when IV = 21, the first replay will be awarded when each stop switch 37L, 37M, 37R is operated in the order of left → middle → right or left → right → middle. The reel stop control is performed. Further, when each of the stop switches 37L, 37M, and 37R is operated in the order of middle → left → right or middle → right → left, reel stop control is performed so that the second replay wins. Furthermore, when the stop switches 37L, 37M, and 37R are operated in order of right → left → middle or right → middle → left, reel stop control is performed so that the third replay is won.

  If winning is performed when IV = 22, the second replay will be awarded when each stop switch 37L, 37M, 37R is operated in the order of left → middle → right or left → right → middle. The reel stop control is performed. In addition, when the respective stop switches 37L, 37M, and 37R are operated in the order of middle → left → right or middle → right → left, reel stop control is performed so that the third replay is won. Furthermore, when the stop switches 37L, 37M, and 37R are operated in the order of right → left → middle or right → middle → left, reel stop control is performed so that the first replay wins.

  If winning is performed when IV = 23, the third replay will be awarded if each stop switch 37L, 37M, 37R is operated in the order of left → middle → right or left → right → middle. The reel stop control is performed. In addition, when the stop switches 37L, 37M, and 37R are operated in the order of middle → left → right or middle → right → left, reel stop control is performed so that the first replay wins. Furthermore, when each of the stop switches 37L, 37M, and 37R is operated in the order of right → left → middle or right → middle → left, reel stop control is performed so that the second replay wins.

  Returning to the description of the RT state process, if it is determined in step S401 that the transition point is not stopped on the active line, the process proceeds to step S405, and based on the winning winning combination set in the previous payout determination process. Whether or not the first replay winning is established is determined. If the first replay winning is established, the ART setting flag set in the state information storage area 106c is cleared in step S406, and this process is terminated. As a result, when the first replay winning is established, the gaming state shifts to the normal gaming state.

  If the first replay winning is not established, the process proceeds to step S407, and it is determined whether or not the second replay winning is established. If the second replay winning is established, the ART setting flag is set in the state information storage area 106c of the RAM 106 in step S408, and this process is terminated.

  If the ART setting flag is set in step S408, the gaming state shifts to the ART state. On the main control device 101 side, the gaming state is not set to ART, but the gaming state is set with the state having the highest replay probability (RT2 in the present embodiment). However, on the auxiliary control device 81 side, the notification state has already been set after the gaming state has shifted to RT1. Therefore, when the game state is set to RT2 in the main control device 101 as described above, the state with the highest replay probability and the notification state set in the auxiliary control device 81 are set at the same time so that the ART state is changed. Will be realized. In the present embodiment, for the sake of convenience, this will be described assuming that the gaming state has shifted to the ART state.

  In step S302 of the lottery process, it is determined that the current gaming state is the ART state based on the fact that the ART setting flag is set in the state information storage area 106c. In the present embodiment, when the ART state is determined in this way, the ART state lottery table is selected as the lottery table.

  FIG. 22 is an ART state lottery table selected in the ART state of “SETTING 3”. In the ART state lottery table, 24 index values IV are set. The same winning combination and point value PV as in the normal gaming state lottery table (see FIG. 17) are set for IV = 1 to 20, and the third replay or the second as the winning combination is set for IV = 21 to 24. A plurality of replays including 3 replays are set and a point value PV is set.

  Then, when the winning / failing determination is made using the lottery table, the probability of winning in the case of IV = 1 to 20 is equal to each winning probability in the normal gaming state, and the probability of winning in the case of IV = 21. Is about 1 / 21.8, the probability of winning when IV = 22 is about 1 / 21.8, the probability of winning when IV = 23 is about 1 / 21.8, IV = 24 The probability of winning in this case is about 1.85. In addition, the probability of losing no winning combination is about 1/417.

  That is, when shifting to the ART state, the probability of losing is lower than that in the normal gaming state, which is advantageous to the player.

  In the ART state, the stop switches 37L and 37M that generate stop commands are also given when winning is made when IV = 21 to 23 in addition to the winning when IV = 9 to 20 described above. , 37R is set to change the winning mode established by the operation sequence of 37R. The stop mode in the case of winning in the case of IV = 21 to 23 is the same as the reel stop mode in the above-mentioned ART preparation state (see FIG. 21).

  Next, the game state transition will be described.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining the transition of the gaming state related to the normal gaming state, the ART preparation state, and the ART state.

  When the gaming state is the normal gaming state, the gaming state shifts to the ART ready state by stopping the transition outcome on the active line. In the transition event, stop information is set to establish one of the first special bell prize to the fourth special bell prize, and when the corresponding special bell prize cannot be established, it stops on the active line. . In other words, the transition outcome is won when IV = 13 to 20, and when the left stop switch 37L is operated first and the special bell winning is not established, it stops on the active line. The probability of winning in any of IV = 13-20 is about 1.90.

  Further, in a situation where the operation order of the stop switches 37L, 37M, and 37R is not notified, the player operates the middle stop switch 37M and the right stop switch 37R aiming at one of the “red bell” symbol and the “white bell” symbol. In this case, the first special bell prize to the fourth special bell prize are established with a probability of 1/4, and the transitional outcome stops on the active line with a probability of 3/4.

  Therefore, when the gaming state is the normal gaming state and the operation order of the stop switches 37L, 37M, and 37R is not notified, the state shifts to the ART preparation state with a probability of about 1/20. Note that in the normal gaming state, whether or not the winning combination is determined for the second replay is not performed, and the normal state does not directly shift to the ART state without going through the ART preparation state.

  When the gaming state is the ART ready state, the gaming state is shifted to the ART state when the second replay winning is established, and the gaming state is shifted to the normal gaming state when the first replay winning (falling replay) is established. . As described above, when winning is made when IV = 21 to 23, stop information is set to establish the second replay winning in two operation orders out of six operation orders. Stop information is set to establish a fall replay winning in two operation sequences. The remaining two of the six patterns are the third replay (normal replay) in which the state does not shift. As described above, since the probability of winning when IV = 21 to 23 is about 7.30, the gaming state is the ART ready state and the operation order of the stop switches 37L, 37M, and 37R is notified. If not, the state shifts to the ART state with a probability of about 11.9, and shifts to the normal gaming state with a probability of about 11.9. That is, in the ART ready state, the probability of transitioning to the RT2 state is the same as the probability of transitioning to the normal gaming state. In addition, when winning is achieved when IV = 24, only normal replay is established in any pressing order. The probability of winning when IV = 24 is 1/3.

  When the gaming state is the ART state, the transition outcome stops on the active line, thereby shifting to the ART ready state, and when the falling replay winning is established, the gaming state shifts to the normal gaming state. As described above, when winning is made when IV = 21 to 23, stop information is set in order to establish the first replay winning in two operation orders out of the six operation orders. Stop information is set to establish a fall replay winning in the same operation sequence, and stop information is set to establish a normal replay winning in the remaining two operation sequences. As described above, the probability of winning when IV = 21 to 23 is about 7.30. Therefore, when the gaming state is the ART state and the operation order of the stop switches 37L, 37M, and 37R is not notified, a fall replay that shifts to the normal gaming state with a probability of about 11.9 is won. . In addition, when winning is achieved when IV = 24, only the normal replay winning is established in any pressing order. The probability of winning when IV = 24 is about 1/85.

  Furthermore, the probability that the transition outcome stops on the active line is about 1/20. As described above, when the gaming state is the ART state and the operation order of the stop switches 37L, 37M, and 37R is not notified, the state shifts to the ART ready state with a probability of about 1/20. Transition to the normal gaming state with a probability of 1/9.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the gaming state is the normal state, the ART, triggered by the stop of the transition game, the first replay (falling replay), and the second replay (promotion replay). Although the three states of the preparation state and the ART state are transited, the present invention is not limited to this, and more RT states may be set. For example, the RT1 state to the fifth RT state are set as the substantial ART ready state, the sixth RT state is set as the ART state, and the game state is changed to the normal state and the seven states of the first to sixth RT. You may be made to make a transition mutually with the winning of a specific small part winning (or only establishment).

  After the RT state process, the process returns to the normal process, and the BB or RB state process is executed in step S213.

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart for explaining the details of the BB or RB state processing. As shown in the figure, first, in step S501, it is determined whether or not the current gaming state is the BB state or the RB state. If not in the BB or RB state, the BB or RB determination process shown in steps S502 to S505 is performed.

  In the BB or RB determination process, it is determined in step S502 whether the first BB winning flag, the second BB winning flag, or the RB winning flag is set. If any BB or RB winning flag is set, the process proceeds to step S503, and based on the set winning winning combination, it is determined whether the first BB winning, the second BB winning, or the RB winning is achieved. To do. If any BB winning or RB winning is established, a BB setting flag or RB setting flag is set in the state information storage area 106c of the RAM 106 in step S504. At this time, the BB winning flag or the RB winning flag set in the winning flag storage area 106a of the RAM 106 is cleared.

  In step S505, 442 or 81 is set in the remaining payout counter for counting the number of remaining medals that can be paid out during the BB or RB state provided in the status information storage area 106c, and the BB / RB medium number display section. 27 to display 442 or 81. By performing the processing of step S504 and step S505, the gaming state shifts to the BB or RB state. On the other hand, based on the fact that the BB or RB setting flag is set in the state information storage area 106c, it is determined that the current gaming state is the BB or RB state in step S302 (see FIG. 16) of the lottery process. Alternatively, the RB state lottery table is selected.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S501 that the gaming state is the BB or RB state, it is determined in step S506 whether the BB or RB state has ended. In this determination processing, for example, it is determined that the BB or RB state has ended when the value of the remaining payout number counter becomes 0, and the BB or RB state has ended when the value of the remaining payout number counter is not 0. Judged not. If it is determined that the BB or RB state has ended, the BB or RB setting flag is reset in step S507, and the process proceeds to step S508. If it is determined that the BB or RB state has not ended, the process ends as it is.

  If it is determined in step S502 that none of the BB and RB winning flags are set, or if it is determined in step S503 that no BB or RB winning is established, the remaining payout counter in step S505. If 442 or 81 is set in the above-described case, and if it is determined in step S507 that the BB or RB state has ended, the process proceeds to step S508 to set a state command. Here, the state command is a command transmitted to the auxiliary control device 81 in order to grasp the gaming state at the end of the game (that is, the gaming state of the next game). In step S508, the state information storage area A status command corresponding to the setting flag set in 106c is set.

  Then, returning to the normal processing of FIG. 15, after the BB or RB state processing in step S213, the processing returns to step S203 and the processing from step S203 onward is repeated.

  In the normal process, various commands such as a start command and a stop operation command are only set in the ring buffer, and no command is transmitted to the auxiliary control device 81. The command transmission to the auxiliary control device 81 is performed in the command output process S110 of the timer interrupt process described above.

  Next, main processing performed when the power is turned on in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 25 is a flowchart for explaining the main process at the time of power-on, which is executed by main controller 101.

  First, in step S601, an initialization process for setting an initial value in a work area (an area other than the specific area 106d) of the RAM 106 is performed. Next, in step S602, it is determined whether or not the setting key has been turned ON (that is, the ON operation performed by inserting the setting key into the setting key insertion hole 73). If it is determined that the setting key is turned on, a setting value changing process is performed in step S603. The set value changing process is a process for changing or resetting the currently set value.

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating the setting value change process. As shown in the figure, in the set value changing process, first, in step S701, it is determined whether or not an operation is performed on the reset switch 72. If it is determined that the reset switch 72 is being operated, an external output setting flag is set in step S702. In the present embodiment, the external output setting flag executes a process (outer end signal setting process) for changing / setting the correspondence between the output terminals P1 to P8 of the external concentration terminal board 121 and various output signals relating to the game. It is a flag to do.

  That is, in the present embodiment, when the reset switch 72 is operated when the power is turned on, the outer end signal setting process is performed. When the setting key is turned ON at the time of power activation of the slot machine 1 and the reset switch 72 is operated, the outer end signal setting process is performed after the setting value changing process that is normally started. (Refer to step S605 in the power-on process described later). Therefore, when it is desired to perform the outer edge signal setting process together with the setting value changing process, the hall employee or the like can perform the outer edge signal setting process only by operating the reset switch 72 together with the setting key. The outer end signal setting process can be performed without turning off the power again and operating the reset switch 72 without turning off the power.

  When the external output setting flag is set, the process proceeds to step S703. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S701 that the reset switch 72 has not been operated, the process directly proceeds to step S703.

  In step S703, a setting value reading process is performed. That is, the CPU 102 performs processing for reading the current set value recorded in the RAM 106. When the setting value reading process is performed, it is determined in step S704 whether the read setting value is a value smaller than “7”. If it is determined that the set value is not smaller than “7”, a process of rewriting the set value to “1” is performed in step S705, and the process proceeds to step S706. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S704 that the read set value is smaller than “7”, the process directly proceeds to step S706. In step S <b> 706, the read set value is transmitted from the CPU 102 to the credit number display unit 26 and displayed on the credit number display unit 26. Accordingly, the set value is displayed by any one of the numbers “1” to “6”.

  When the set value is displayed, it is determined in step S707 whether or not the start lever 36 is operated. If it is determined that the start lever 36 has not been operated, the processing of step S708 and step S709 is performed thereafter. On the other hand, if it is determined that the start lever 36 is being operated, the processing from step S710 to step S712 is performed thereafter.

  First, when it is determined in step S707 that the start lever 36 is not operated, it is determined in step S708 whether or not the reset switch 72 is in the ON state. If it is determined that the reset switch 72 is not in the ON state, the process returns to step S707 again. On the other hand, if it is determined that the reset switch is in the ON state, the set value is incremented in step S709. When the set value is incremented in this way, the process proceeds to step S704 again.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S707 that the start lever 36 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S710. In step S710, it is determined whether the setting key has been turned off. If it is determined that the setting key is not in the OFF state, the process waits until the setting key is in the OFF state. On the other hand, if it is determined that the setting key is in the OFF state, the process proceeds to step S711. In step S 711, the set value is stored in the backup area of the RAM 106. After the setting value is stored, in step S712, RAM clear for clearing the storage area other than the specific area 106d is performed, and the setting value changing process ends.

  Returning to the power-on process, if the set value changing process is completed, or if it is determined in step S602 that the setting key has not been turned ON, the process proceeds to step S604.

  In step S604, it is determined whether or not the reset switch 72 is in the ON state when the power is turned on. If it is determined that the reset switch 72 is not in the ON state, it is determined in step S606 whether an external output setting flag is set. If the external output setting flag is set, an outer end signal setting process is performed in step S605. The external output setting flag is set in step S702 when the reset switch 72 is turned on (pressed down) when the power is turned on in the setting value changing process as described above.

  That is, if the external output signal is already set in step S702 in the setting value changing process when an attempt is made to perform the outer end signal setting process when the power is turned on and the reset switch 72 is operated. Even if the reset switch 72 is in the OFF state in step S604, the outer end signal setting process is performed through the setting value changing process.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S604 that the reset switch is not in the ON state and it is determined in step S606 that the external output setting flag is not set, the process proceeds to step S607 without performing the outer end signal setting process. .

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S604 that the reset switch is in the ON state, the process proceeds to step S605 and an outer end signal setting process is performed regardless of whether or not the external output setting flag is set. That is, in this case, even if the power is turned on without performing the setting value changing process (without performing the operation to the key switch 72), the setting value changing process is not performed and the reset switch 72 is performed. Only the above operation is detected and the outer end signal setting process is performed. As can be understood from the setting value changing process and the outer end signal setting process, in the present embodiment, the outer end signal setting process is performed together with the setting value changing process, or the outer end is independently performed without the setting value changing process. It is possible to arbitrarily select whether to perform signal setting processing. And since the process concerning this selection can be realized without changing the hardware configuration such as various switches and wiring changes, a large-scale configuration change is also required for existing game machines. Can be applied without.

  Details of the outer end signal setting process will be described below.

  FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating the outer end signal setting process. First, in step S801, the currently set combination number (see FIG. 13) is read from the specific area 106d.

  In step S802, a combination number display command to be transmitted to the auxiliary control device 81 is set. The auxiliary control device 81 performs control for displaying the combination number on the auxiliary display means such as the liquid crystal display 23 based on the reception of the combination number display command. Details of the control will be described later.

  In step S803, a process of displaying the currently set combination number on the credit number display unit 26 or the discharged number display unit 28 is performed. Specifically, for example, in the case of the combination number 1 as shown in FIG. 11, the output terminal P1 is “IN signal”, the output terminal P2 is “OUT signal”, the output terminal P3 is “first BB signal”, and the output The terminal P4 is set to “second BB signal” and the output terminal P5 is set to “RB signal”. In this case, “1” is displayed on the credit amount display section 26.

  In step S804, it is determined whether the max bet button 33 has been operated. If it is determined that the max button 33 is not operated, it is determined in step S805 whether there is an operation on the left stop switch 37L. If it is determined that there is no operation on the left stop switch 37L, the process returns to step S804. If it is determined that there is an operation on the left stop switch 37L, the currently set combination number is incremented and the value is updated in step S806. Specifically, in the combination number shown in FIG. 13, for example, when the combination number is set to “1”, this is incremented and updated to “2”. In the present embodiment, when the combination number is set to “5”, the combination number is set to return to “1” when the update is performed. When the combination number update is completed, a command for displaying the updated combination number is set in step S807, and the process returns to step S803.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S804 that the max bet button 33 has been operated, the combination number currently set in step S808 is stored in the specific area 106d of the RAM 106. Since the specific area 106 is an area that is not initialized by a power-off operation or a setting value changing operation as described above, the set combination number is changed in processing other than the outer end signal processing. There is no.

  After the combination number is stored, it is determined in step S809 whether there is an external output setting flag. If it is determined that there is an external output setting flag, the flag is turned off in step S810 and the process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no external output setting flag, the process is terminated as it is.

  In the present embodiment, the medal insertion IN signal, the BB signal, and the RB signal as a plurality of types of signals related to the generated game by this outer end signal setting process, the above combination number among these types of signals. Can be displayed each time the left reel 11L is pressed and displayed on a display unit such as the credit number display unit 26. Then, the displayed (selected) combination number is actually set as an external output signal to be output to the outside of the slot machine 1 such as the hall computer 200 or the data display 300 by pressing the max bet button 33, The external output signal is output to the outside of the slot machine 1.

  Accordingly, a signal output from the slot machine 1 can be arbitrarily selected and set in an external device such as the hall computer 200, and a signal output from the slot machine 1 to the outside can be arbitrarily changed and set as desired. Can do. In particular, in the present embodiment, such a change setting of the output signal can be realized without using a large-scale device and without greatly modifying the internal hardware configuration.

  Returning to the power-on process, if the outer end signal setting process ends in step S605, or if it is determined in step S604 that the reset switch is not in the ON state and it is determined in step S606 that there is no external output setting flag, step S607 is performed. Proceed to step S4 to determine whether the power failure flag is set. If it is determined that the power failure flag is not set, the process proceeds to the normal process (see FIG. 15) described above in step S608.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the power failure flag is set, it is checked in step S609 whether or not the determination value in the RAM 106 is normal, that is, whether or not the data in the RAM 106 has been destroyed. If it is determined that the determination value of the RAM 106 is not normal, that is, it is highly likely that the data in the RAM 106 is destroyed, an error display process for displaying an error until the power is turned off is performed in step S610. .

  In this case, for example, the next timer interrupt process is prohibited, all output ports in the input / output port 104 are cleared, and all actuators connected to the input / output port 104 are controlled to be in an OFF state. Then, an error notification process for notifying the occurrence of an error to the hall manager or the like using the upper lamp 21 or the like is performed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S609 that the determination value of the RAM 106 is normal, the process proceeds to step S611, where the stack pointer value stored in the backup area is written to the stack pointer of the CPU 102, and the power supply of the stack is cut off. It returns to the state before being done.

  Next, in step S612, a power recovery command that tells execution of power recovery processing is transmitted to the auxiliary control device 81. Thereafter, in step S613, the game state is stopped and automatic settlement setting storage processing is performed. In step S614, various sensors such as the start detection sensor 36a are initialized. After the above process is completed, the power failure flag is reset in step S615, and the process returns to the process before turning off the power. Specifically, the process returns to the timer interrupt process described above, and the watchdog timer clear process (step S104) is executed.

  Next, each control process executed by the auxiliary control device 81 in FIG. 10 will be briefly described. The processing of the CPU 82 is roughly divided into a display main process that is activated when the power is turned on, a display timer interrupt process that is activated periodically (in this embodiment, at a cycle of 1 msec), and a control signal from the main control device 101. There is a command interrupt process activated based on an input.

  The display timer interrupt process is a display process executed by the CPU 82 of the auxiliary controller 81 based on a clock signal generated from the clock circuit 84, for example, every 1 msec.

  The command interruption process is a process in which the auxiliary control device 81 executes the command after the auxiliary control device 81 receives various commands according to the current game state and the progress of the game transmitted from the main control device 101. It is processing to do.

  Further, the display main process is executed when the power is turned on by recovery from a power failure or turning on the power switch 71. In the display main process, first, an initialization process is performed. When the voltage is not lowered and the value of the interrupt timer counter becomes 0, a received command check process based on a command received from the main control device 101 Is done.

  In this received command check process, it is determined which command has been received in the previous command interrupt process, and a process of determining an auxiliary effect to be performed based on the type of the received command is performed. In the present embodiment, processing for displaying the external output signal and the correspondence relationship (combination number) to the output terminals P1 to P8 is performed on the liquid crystal display 23 based on the received command (particularly, the combination number display command).

  Specifically, the process performed in the received command check process includes a status command process performed based on the reception of the status command, a start command process performed based on the reception of the start command, and a lottery result performed based on the reception of the lottery result command. Command processing, rotation information command processing performed based on reception of rotation information command, operation command processing performed based on reception of each operation command such as stop operation command, stop symbol command processing performed based on reception of stop symbol command, winning There are a winning command process performed based on the reception of the command, a winning line command process performed based on the reception of the winning line command, and the combination number display received from the main controller 101 in step S802 in the present embodiment. There is command processing. In the received command check process, the drive control content of the auxiliary effect section is determined based on the command data received from the main control device 101.

  In the lottery result command process of the received command check process, based on the information indicated by the lottery result command, that is, the lottery result of the combination performed by the main control device 101, an auxiliary effect determination according to the lottery result of the combination is performed. A production table is selected. This effect table is a table in which each random value is uniquely associated with an auxiliary effect to be performed. That is, the ROM 87 of the auxiliary control device 81 stores in advance an effect table corresponding to each combination including cases where the winning combination is BB or RB and other combinations. Then, auxiliary effect setting processing is performed based on the selected effect table.

  Further, in the rotation information command processing of the received command processing, the rotation information is stored in the rotation information storage area 88b of the RAM 88 based on the reception of the rotation information of the reels 11L, 11M, and 11R from the main controller 101. To do. Based on the stored rotation information, the stop order of the reels 11L, 11M, 11R is grasped, and the grasp result is stored in the stop order storage area 88c of the RAM 88.

  When a stop command for instructing the order of stopping the reels 11L, 11M, and 11R has been generated, 1 is added to the value of the stop command counter provided in the RAM 88 to count the number of occurrences. The rotation information, order information, stop command counter value, and the like stored in the RAM 88 are cleared when the next game is started.

  In the operation command process in the reception command process, any one of a bet operation command, a start operation command, and a stop operation command is received. Here, when any one of the operation commands is received, it means that any one of the betting operation, the start operation, and the stop operation has been performed in a situation that does not relate to the progress of the game. Then, an operation order grasping process for grasping the operation order for these operation units is performed.

  In the operation order grasping process, for example, when the stop switches 37L, 37M, and 37R are operated in the same order as the reel stop order, the first to third order flags are set. If the operation is performed in a different order from the above order, all the set order flags are cleared.

  Next, in the state command process, the gaming state indicated by the received state command is stored in the state information storage area 88c of the RAM 88.

  In the lottery result command process, it is determined whether or not a winning combination is won based on the received lottery result command. When any combination is won, a notification corresponding to each notification flag that is set is performed. The notification is, for example, notification of the pressing order of the stop switches 37L to 37R. In the present embodiment, a notification lottery process is also performed.

  The notification lottery process is a process of performing a notification lottery based on a random number acquired by the auxiliary control device 81 and setting a notification flag when the current gaming state is not the ART state. On the other hand, when the current gaming state is the ART state, the notification flag may be set without performing the notification lottery.

  Furthermore, the outer end signal setting command processing which is a characteristic part according to the present embodiment will be briefly described. In the outer end signal setting command processing, based on the reception of the combination number display command, the combination of the signal relating to the game to be output and the output terminal number and the signal number are displayed on the liquid crystal display 23.

  FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a combination of an output signal and an output terminal number on the liquid crystal display 23. As shown in the figure, the types of signals corresponding to the output terminal numbers are displayed together with the combination numbers 1 to 5 described above. In this embodiment, any combination number is selected and set on the liquid crystal display 23 by performing the same processing as the processing described in steps S804 to S808 in FIG.

  Specifically, for example, all combinations of output terminals and output target signals corresponding to combination numbers 1 to 5 are displayed on the liquid crystal display 23, and these combination numbers are displayed on the liquid crystal display 23 by operating the left stop switch 40. Is selected. The selected combination is indicated by shading in FIG. 28, and when the left stop switch 40 is pressed, the shaded combination number transitions to a number one larger. If the left stop switch 40 is operated in a state where the combination number 5 is selected, the combination number 1 is selected as in the case of step S806. When the max bet button 33 is operated, the currently selected combination number is set.

  According to the present embodiment, a hall employee or the like who selects and sets an output signal can select a combination of a signal related to a game to be output and an output terminal number while checking the display on the liquid crystal display 23. And work can be done more efficiently.

(Second Embodiment)
The second embodiment according to the present invention will be described below. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the element similar to 1st Embodiment, and the description is abbreviate | omitted. In the present embodiment, in particular, the outer end signal setting process of FIG. 27 has a different aspect from the first embodiment.

  FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing details of the outer end signal setting processing according to the present embodiment. As illustrated, in the present embodiment, first, in step S801 ′, a process of reading the currently set signal number and output terminal number from the specific area 106d is performed. The signal number is a unique number assigned to various signals relating to the game generated in the main control device 101.

  FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating an example of a correspondence table between signal numbers and output signal types. As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, “in-first BB signal” and “signal number 2” corresponding to “signal number 1”, “in-second BB signal” and “signal number 3”. “In-RB signal”, “Signal number 4” is “Second BB signal”, “Signal number 5” is “First BB signal + Second BB signal”, “Signal number 6” is “ The “medal IN signal” is set for “first BB signal + second BB signal + RB signal”, “signal number 7”, and “medal OUT signal” is set for “signal number 8”. The correspondence table between the signal number and the output signal type is recorded in the ROM 105.

  In the present embodiment, the signal numbers 1 to 8 correspond to any one of the output terminals P1 to P8. For example, “1” for the output terminal P1, “2” for the output terminal P2, “3” for the output terminal P3, “4” for the output terminal P4, “5” for the output terminal P5. "6" for the output terminal P6, "7" for the output terminal P7, and "8" for the output terminal P8.

  Returning to the outer end signal setting process, in step S802 ′, the display means controlled by the auxiliary control device 81 such as the liquid crystal display 23 displays the currently set output terminal number and the corresponding signal number. Set the output setting command. In the present embodiment, a detailed description of the display by the display unit such as the liquid crystal display 23 controlled by the auxiliary control device 81 is omitted, but for the display, the correspondence between the signal number and the output terminal is a hole. Any mode can be adopted as long as it can be recognized by an operator such as an employee.

  In step S803 ', a process of displaying the output terminal number currently set in the discharge number display section 28 is performed. Specifically, the number of the output terminal currently set for display is read out from the specific area 106d and displayed on the discharge number display section 28. For example, when the output terminal to be displayed is the output terminal P <b> 1, “P1” is displayed on the discharge number display portion 28. Note that the number of the output terminal may be displayed not only on the discharge number display unit 28 but also on other existing display units such as the BB / RB intermediate number display unit 27.

  In step S804 ′, a signal number to be associated with the currently set output terminal number is displayed on the credit number display unit 26. Specifically, the signal number currently set for display is read from the specific area 106d and displayed on the credit number display unit 26. For example, when the signal number 1 is set, “1” is displayed on the credit number display portion 26. The signal number may be displayed not only on the credit number display unit 26 but also on other existing display units such as the BB / RB intermediate number display unit 27.

  Through the processing in step S803 ′ and step S804 ′, the employee confirms that, for example, “P3” is displayed on the discharged number display portion 28, “3” is displayed on the BB / RB number display portion 27, and the like. Thus, it can be clearly recognized that the signal in the first BB is set to the output terminal P3.

  In addition, it is preferable from a viewpoint of manufacturing cost that the display of the output terminal number and the signal number in the step S803 ′ and the step S804 ′ is performed using the existing display unit as described above. However, these displays may be performed by providing a new display unit different from the existing display unit.

  In step S805 ′, it is determined whether there is an operation on the left stop switch 37L. If it is determined that there is an operation on the left stop switch 37L, the value of the signal number that is currently set to be displayed is incremented in step S806 ′. For example, when the currently set signal number is “1”, it is updated to “2”. In the present embodiment, signal numbers 1 to 8 are determined. Therefore, when the currently set signal number is “8”, when the update in step S806 ′ is performed, this is “1”. It has been updated to. Then, a signal number display command is set in step S807 ′, and the signal number display process in step S804 ′ is performed again.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no operation to the left stop switch 37L, it is determined in step S808 ′ whether there is an operation to the right stop switch 37R. If it is determined that there is an operation on the right stop switch 37R, the value of the output terminal number that is currently set to be displayed is incremented in step S809 ′. For example, when the currently set output terminal number is “P1”, this is updated to “P2”. In this embodiment, for example, output signals are set at five output terminals P1 to P5.

  Therefore, when the output terminal number currently set for display is “P5”, if the update in step S809 ′ is performed, this is updated to “P1”. In step S810 ′, the setting output terminal change display command is set, and the output terminal number display process in step S803 ′ is performed again.

  Furthermore, if it is determined in step S808 ′ that there is no operation on the right stop switch 37R, it is determined in step S811 ′ whether there is an operation on the max bet button 33. If it is determined that there is no operation on the max bet button 33, the process returns to step S805 '. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is an operation on the max bet button 33, the currently set signal number and output terminal number are stored in the specific area 106d of the RAM 106 in step S812 ′. In step S813 ′, it is determined whether or not there is an outer end signal setting flag. If it is determined that there is no outer end signal setting flag, the process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is an outer end signal setting flag, the flag is cleared in step S814 ′, and this process ends.

  As described above, according to the outer end signal setting processing according to the present embodiment, by operating the left stop switch 37L, the signal numbers corresponding to various signals such as the BB signal and the ART signal can be switched. Thus, by operating the right stop switch 37R, it becomes possible to set the output terminal number corresponding to the set signal number. That is, the setting of which output terminal P1 to P5 to output various signals relating to the game can be performed with better operability.

  The switches for updating the signal number, updating the output terminal number, and storing the updated signal number and output terminal number in the specific area 106d are the left stop switch 37L, the right stop switch 37R, For example, various changes can be made according to the convenience of the operator and the specifications of the switch provided on the front door 3 for each model. For example, the switch for updating the signal number is the one-bed bet button 32, the switch for updating the output terminal number is the two-bet button 33, and the updated signal number and output terminal number are stored in the specific area 106d. The switch for performing may be the return switch 64. Further, the correspondence table between the signal numbers and the types of output signals shown in FIG. 30 may be displayed on the liquid crystal display 23 or the like. Thereby, the worker can grasp at a glance which signal number corresponds to that kind of output signal, which leads to improvement in work efficiency.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to said each embodiment, A various change is possible within the range of the summary of invention. For example, the display of the combination number and the display mode of the output terminal number and the signal number in each of the above embodiments clearly indicate the correspondence between the combination number selected by the employee or the output terminal number and the signal number. As long as it can be recognized, it can be adopted in other various aspects. In addition, when setting the output signal in step S805 to step S807 or step S805 ′ to step S807 ′ shown in FIGS. 27 and 29, a sound indicating that the setting has been made is output from the speaker 22 or the upper lamp 21. It is also possible to emit light indicating that the setting has been performed by the light emitting means such as.

  In addition, the association between the output terminal of the external concentrated terminal board 121 and the output target signal is not limited to the aspect described in each of the above embodiments, and for example, in the predetermined area in the RAM 106, each output terminal, A storage area provided corresponding to each of the output terminals P3 to P5 is formed, and a desired output target signal is recorded in correspondence with this storage area. The output target signal may be output to an external device such as the data display 300. In this case, each output terminal P3 to P5 and each output target signal can be associated with each other at a low cost by an extremely easy software process that does not require a hardware configuration change such as wiring. Therefore, it is not necessary to record the combinations relating to the correspondence between all output terminals and all output target signals, so that the capacity of the ROM 105 can be reduced.

  Further, the combinations of the output terminals P1 to P8 corresponding to the combination numbers described in the first embodiment and the types of output signals are not limited to the form of FIG. 13 and can be variously changed. For example, in FIG. 13, the combination numbers 1 to 5 are prepared, but more or less combination numbers are prepared, and the corresponding output terminals P1 to P8 and the types of output signals are determined. May be. The types of output signals are also “medal IN signal”, “medal OUT signal”, “first BB signal”, “second BB signal”, “RB signal”, and “ART signal” in the above embodiments. Various other output signals other than "" may be set. For example, an ART preparation state may be detected based on stop information when the transition event (see FIG. 8) stops, and a signal that detects the ART preparation state may be set as an output signal.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the slot machine 1 which is a wiring (8-6 wiring) in which the external concentration terminal 121 has eight output terminals and the data display device 300 or the hall computer has six input terminals will be described. However, the method of wiring is not limited to this, and for example, there are six output terminals of the external concentration terminal 121, and 6-6 wiring in which there are six input terminals of the data display device 300 and the hall computer. It may take the form of In this case, the security signal wiring may be output from any of the six output terminals, or a security signal wiring may be provided separately. In addition, there are three output terminals of the external concentration terminal 121, and the number of output terminals such as 3-5 wiring having five input terminals of the data display or hall computer is smaller than that of the input terminal of the data display or the like. It may take a form. As a result, the number of combinations of output terminals and output target signals is reduced, so that the amount of data stored in the ROM 105, RAM 106, etc. can be reduced, and the load on the CPU 102 can also be reduced.

  The slot machine 1 according to each of the above embodiments is configured to output an output target signal from the main controller 101 to the data display 300 or the hall computer 200. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The output target signal generated in 101 may be received by the auxiliary control device 81, and the output signal may be output from the auxiliary control device 81 to the data display 300 or the hall computer 200. In this case, for example, all output target signals relating to the game are transmitted from the main control device 101 to the auxiliary control device 81, and which output target signal is input to each input terminal of the data display 300 or the hall computer 200 by the CPU 82 of the auxiliary control device 81. You may make it perform the process of making it respond | correspond.

  Furthermore, signals other than those described in the above embodiment may be adopted as output target signals to be output to the data display device 300 and the hall computer 200. For example, when a small role such as “Bell” or “Cherry” wins an internal winning or winning, a winning combination / winning signal is output to the data display device 300 and displayed in the game state display area of the data display device 300. Anyway. As a result, for example, in a model that is set as a trigger for a transition to a so-called high probability state in which the internal winning or winning of a specific small role increases the probability of transitioning to a special gaming state such as ART. The information on the internal winning or winning of the small role can be displayed on the display area of the data display device 300 to notify the player that the player has entered the high probability state, and as a result, the player's game Will contribute to improving the interest in

  Hereinafter, the gaming machine of the present invention will be described while showing effects and the like as necessary. In the following, for the purpose of assisting understanding, configurations that can be handled in the slot machine 1 of the above-described embodiment are appropriately shown in parentheses, but are not limited to the specific configurations shown in parentheses. .

  Means 1. A gaming machine having gaming control means (101) for detecting a state change based on the progress of the game, performing a game control based on the state change, and outputting a signal based on the state change to the outside of the gaming machine (1) ( In 1), the game control means (101) includes a state change detection means (102) for detecting a plurality of types of state changes based on the progress of the game, and a game machine (1 ) Output target selection means (37L, 37M, 37R, 33) for selecting a state change to be output to the outside, and an output target signal generated based on the state change selected by the output target selection means. And an external output means (121) for outputting to the outside of the gaming machine.

  According to the means 1, the type of signal output to the outside of the gaming machine can be arbitrarily selected. Therefore, on the hall side, a signal to be transmitted to an external device such as the hall computer (200) or the data display (300) can be selected and adjusted.

  Mean 2. In the gaming machine (1) of the means 1, the external output means (121) includes a plurality of output terminals (P1 to P8) for outputting output target signals to the outside of the gaming machine, and output target selection means (37L, 37M, 37R). , 33) is characterized in that a state change to be output is associated with each of the plurality of output terminals (P1 to P8).

  According to the means 2, each output target signal can be made to correspond to each of the plurality of output terminals (P1 to P8).

  Means 3. The gaming machine (1) of means 1 or 2 is characterized by comprising output target selection operation means for performing a selection operation of a state change to be output to the outside of the gaming machine. Accordingly, it is possible to select a state change to be output to the outside of the gaming machine by an operation by an employee or the like.

  Means 4. In the gaming machine (1) according to any one of the means 1 to 3, the game control means (101) includes a special game state control means for controlling the game state to a special game state advantageous to the player, and the player Special game state control means for controlling the game state in a special game state that is advantageous to the game and different from the special game state, and the state change detection means (102) has the game state of the special game state described above. It is characterized in that at least one of the gaming state or the gaming state is the special gaming state is detected as the state change. Thereby, detection of a special game state (BB or RB etc.) and a special game state (ART etc.) can be reliably detected as a state change.

  Means 5. A signal generation means (101) for generating a plurality of types of signals related to a game, and a signal selection setting means for selecting and setting one or more types of signals among the generated types of signals as external output signals to be output to the outside ( 37L, 37R, 37M, 33) and an external output means (121) for outputting the selected external output signal to the gaming machine (1) to the outside (200, 300). Machine.

  Thereby, the kind of signal output outside a game machine can be chosen arbitrarily. Therefore, on the hall side, a signal to be transmitted to the hall computer (200) or the data display (300) can be selected and adjusted, and convenience is improved.

  Means 6. The gaming machine (1) of the means 5 further comprises combination table storage means (105) for storing a plurality of combinations of signals to be output to the outside among a plurality of types of signals related to the game, and the signal selection setting means (37L , 37R, 37M, 33) are a combination selection operation unit (37L, 37R, 37M) for performing an operation of selecting a specific combination from a plurality of combinations stored in the combination table storage means (105), and the combination And an external output signal setting unit (33) for performing an operation of setting a signal to be externally output as an external output signal in accordance with the combination selected by the selection operation unit.

  Thus, a signal to be output to the outside can be easily set by selecting a predetermined combination of signals to be output to the outside. That is, by storing a combination table indicating combinations of signals that are assumed to be used in advance in the table storage means so that the stored table can be appropriately selected, a signal that is externally output by an easy operation. Can be determined.

  Mean 7 In the gaming machine of means 6, when the selection operation by the combination selection operation unit (37L, 37R, 37M) is performed, a plurality of combinations stored in the combination table storage means (23, 26, 27, 28) Further, a combination display means for switching and displaying is provided. Thereby, since the selected combination is displayed on the display means, the operator can confirm this display and set an appropriate combination.

  Means 8. In the gaming machine of means 7, as the display means (23, 26, 27, 28), an existing display (23) for displaying game information, or an existing 7-segment display for displaying the number of medals paid out and stored Part (26, 27, 28) is used. Thus, by using an existing display unit in a gaming machine, the display means of the gaming machine according to the present invention can be easily configured at low cost.

  Means 9. In the gaming machine of means 5, a plurality of numbered signal output terminals (P1 to P8) for outputting external output signals set by the signal selection setting means (37L, 37R, 37M, 33), and the game Signal number storage means (106d) for storing signal numbers assigned to a plurality of types of signals, and the signal selection setting means (37L, 37R, 37M, 33) are connected to the signal output terminal (P1). To P8), an output terminal selection unit (37L) for switching and selecting the number, and a signal selection unit (37R) for switching and selecting the signal number.

  According to this, the hall employee etc. can perform the selection operation and setting operation of the said combination more easily.

  Means 10. In any of the gaming machines 5-9, as the signal selection setting means, existing operation switches for playing a game (31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37L, 37M, 37R, 64, 71, 72). Thus, by using the existing operation means for the gaming machine, the signal selection operation means and the output signal setting means of the gaming machine according to the present invention can be easily configured at low cost.

1 slot machine (game machine)
2 Housing 3 Front door 3A Display unit 3B Operation unit 3C Storage unit 5a, 5b Support shaft 7 Medal discharge port 7a, 7b Bearing unit 11L to R Reel 14 Hopper device 14a Storage tank 14b Discharge device 14c Discharge detection sensor 16 Medal tray 21 Upper lamp 22 Speaker 23 Liquid crystal display 24L to R Display window 25 Bet lamp 26 Credit number display part 27 BB / RB medium number display part 28 Ejection number display part 31 Two-sheet bet button 31a Credit insertion detection sensor 32 One-sheet bet button 32a Credit insertion detection sensor 33 Max bet button (output target signal selection means)
33a Credit insertion detection sensor 34 Medal insertion slot 35 Settlement switch 35a Settlement detection sensor 36 Start lever 37L to R Stop switch 40 Partition plate 42 Reel unit 45a Insertion medal detection sensor (output target signal selection means)
46 selector 46a medal passage switching solenoid 47 storage passage 48 discharge passage 48a opening 60 guide plate 62 spare tank 64 return switch 70 power box 71 power switch 72 reset switch 72a reset detection sensor 73 setting key insertion hole 73a setting key detection sensor 81 Auxiliary control device 91 Power supply device 91a Power supply unit 91b Power failure monitoring circuit 101 Main control device (game control means)
102 CPU (state change detection means)
103 clock circuit 104 input / output port 105 ROM (combination table storage means)
106 RAM
106a Winning flag storage area 106b Stop information storage area 106c State information storage area 106d Specific area 121 External concentration terminal board 200 Hall computer 300 Data display 302 First game state display area 304 Second game state display area 306 Game state display Regions P1 to P8 Output terminals I1 to I6 Data display input terminals I'1 to I'6 Hall computer input terminals

Claims (1)

Game control means for executing various processes relating to the progress of the game;
Auxiliary control means executed on the basis of a signal from the game control means;
Display means controlled by the auxiliary control means;
Selection operation means for selecting and operating display information displayed on the display means;
Initialization operation means;
In a gaming machine equipped with
The game control means includes
Storage means for storing information used in executing the various processes;
Initialization execution means for initializing information stored in the storage means by operating the initialization operation means;
Various state change detection means for detecting various state changes that occur as the game progresses;
Output target signal output means for outputting an output target signal generated based on the state change information detected by the state change detection means to the auxiliary control means;
With
The display means displays display information that can be selected and operated by the selection operation means when the initialization operation means is operated,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein information indicating the output target signal and an output destination of the output target signal is displayed in the display information selected from the display information.